The NHS also claims that such health examinations save ‘thousands of lives every year’
Cara De La Hoyde-Massey has encouraged fans to prioritise an essential health check-up, even if it seems daunting. The former Love Island star, 34, issued the message in a conversation with celebrity stylist Bronagh Meere on The School Runway Podcast.
“Oh, I had a smear this week as well,” Cara told her fellow co-host. “…Everyone should get their smears, guys, just a little PSA [public service announcement]. Get your smear, don’t be scared, just do it.”
Joining the conversation, Bronagh said: “Yeah, 100%. I mean, I get that some people’ll get nervous.” Cara said there was no need to worry.
She acknowledged it wasn’t exactly comfortable. However, she then made light of the situation.
She said, speaking candidly: “Me and the nurse were laughing because I was like, ‘Oh, it goes up there a lot easier now.’ Obviously, once two [kids] have come out, it just flies up there, you ain’t got nothing to worry about.”
Cara isn’t alone in highlighting the necessity of smear tests. The NHS also frequently stresses that smear tests save ‘thousands of lives’ per year. The health service routinely invites eligible Brits aged 25 to 64 for cervical screenings every few years.
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These five-minute examinations require a patient to undress from the waist down and recline on a bed. A nurse will then carefully place a tube-shaped speculum into the vagina and open it to view the cervix, being the neck of the uterus. A soft brush will collect cell samples from the cervix.
Smear tests are particularly key for observing different types of ‘human papillomavirus (HPV)’, a prevalent collection of viruses that carry the risk of causing cervical alterations.
HPV can spread through multiple ways, including through sexual intercourse, direct skin-to-skin genital contact, and the sharing of sexual toys. While the body eliminates many strains of HPV, some can linger for extended periods.
These high-risk strains can lead to health problems like genital warts or, in more serious cases, cervical cancer. “Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix and helps find any abnormal changes before they can turn into cancer,” NHS guidance explains.
“It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer. Cervical screening checks a sample of cells from your cervix for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). These types of HPV can cause abnormal changes to the cells in your cervix and are called ‘high-risk’ types of HPV.
“If high-risk types of HPV are found during screening, the sample of cells is also checked for abnormal cell changes. If abnormal cells are found, they can be treated so they do not get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.”
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Cervical screening invitations are typically mailed, allowing appointments to be arranged upon receipt. People aged 25 to 49 receive invitations for screenings every three years, whereas those aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years.
Anyone over 65 is asked only if their recent test was abnormal. “If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter to book an appointment,” the NHS adds.
Am I at risk of cervical cancer?
The NHS warns that anyone with a cervix could be at risk of cervical cancer if they have experienced ‘any kind of sexual contact’. This encompasses:
- Vaginal, oral or anal sex
- Any skin-to-skin contact with the genital area
- Sharing sex toys
It is also relevant in these situations:
- You are a trans man with a cervix
- You have received the HPV vaccine
- You have undergone a partial hysterectomy that did not remove all of your cervix
- You have only ever had one sexual partner, or you’ve had the same partner for a long time
- You are lesbian or bisexual
For further insights, visit the NHS website.