“Cervical Screening Saved My Life” | Latest news

To mark Cervical Screening Awareness Week, we caught up with a patient who has recently been treated at Nottingham University Hospitals, her vigilance saving her life.

Kerry, 46, from Nottingham had tested positive for three consecutive years for human papillomavirus (HPV) – but having no cancerous cells meant she wasn’t a high risk. To put her mind at ease, she was referred to the Women’s Unit at City Hospital in October 2020 to have a closer look at the abnormalities picked up in her screenings.

Sadly, Kerry lost her dad to cancer, so her anxieties were fairly high. However, upon arriving at the Women’s Centre, her mind was instantly put at ease and she was invited in for a consultation. Upon the first look, Sharon Bhatia, Clinical nurse specialist in Colposcopy , reassured Kerry that there was no cancer, but a biopsy was done to be on the safe side.

After three weeks, Sharon called Kerry to let her know that the result of the biopsy was that she had grade one and grade two cells. Grade three is cancer, but the option was given to have these removed, if it meant the worry and anxieties would disappear.

In February, Kerry had the procedure to remove the abnormal cells:

“I’d give it a two out of 10 for pain and it lasted seconds. Attending my Cervical Screening saved my life”, Kerry said.

Despite being treated during times when Covid-19 restrictions were high, Kerry says that she was so well looked after and everyone is so nice:

“The Women’s Unit doesn’t feel like a hospital. There was no stigma and I was made to feel at ease from the moment I stepped through the doors.”

Since her procedure, Kerry has decided that she will be having a cervical screening every year to keep her mind at ease and to ‘keep in touch’ with herself.

 

Here are Clinical nurse specialist in Colposcopy Sharon Bhatia’s  top tips for anyone unsure about attending their cervical screening:

1. Everybody who has a cervix will receive an invitation for their screening approximately six months before their 25^th birthday. It’s important you attend, and if everything looks good, then you don’t have to come back for three more years!
    
2. Cervical screening checks to see if you have the HPV virus, not cancer. It’s important you have any abnormal cells investigated before they progress into something more sinister.
    
3. If you’re nervous, feel free to call up beforehand and if time allows, then you can even come in to the centre for a walk around and a chat before your appointment to put your mind at ease.
    
4. Covid did delay invitations being sent out, as we were able to see less people and have meant that we can have less people in the waiting room. This is why it’s so important to make the call and book your appointment when you receive your letter.
    
5. Feel free to wear a loose dress or skirt, or even bring a dressing gown to make you feel more comfortable for the screening. As long as you’re happy, then we’re happy.