Cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer in women under 35 with two women in the UK per day dying from the disease. Although these statistics have been floating around for many years, many women put off going to the appointment for numerous reasons, one being embarrassment.
When going for a smear test, the visit to the GP surgery should not take longer than 15 minutes.
A nurse will be taking a sample of cells from your cervix using a small, soft brush which will then be sent to a lab to test for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and, if you have HPV, any cervical cell changes.
The nurse will ask you to lie on an examination bed – the lower half of your body will be covered as you will be provided with new, clean paper sheet.
You can lie:
- on your back with your legs bent up, your ankles together and your knees apart.
- on your left side with your knees bent.
If you require more details, visit the Jo’s Trust website from which you are able to find information and support ahead of your cervical screening.
Engagement Hub Campaigns
The Engagement Hub platform, developed by iPLATO – the developers of myGP, has already shown demonstrable success by increasing the uptake of cervical screening across London by 4.8%, equating to an additional 13,000 more women being screened. This project has been commissioned for a second year and will run alongside existing healthcare campaigns including the:
Barnet Breast and Cervical Screening Programme
SMS reminders for women who are due to attend their first breast screening appointment
SMS reminders for women who are overdue and women who have never had a cervical screening appointment
North Central London Breast Screening Programme – SMS reminders for women who are overdue their second-timed breast screening appointment
National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) across Southwark – SMS and letters to refer patients at risk of developing type 2 diabetes to participate in a free behavioural intervention To find out more about the Engagement Hub and how it could help you, please contact our Project Delivery team at hub@iplato.com
