Niamh Kirk was told she had abnormal cells after her first routine smear test. Here, for Cervical Screening Awareness Week, Niamh, 25, from Leicestershire, shares what happened and why it’s so important every woman should have their test
Smear tests can be daunting, especially when it’s your first one. And as crucial as they are, many women remain unclear on what actually happens during an appointment, and why we have them in the first place. So, as it’s Cervical Screening Awareness Week, I’m here to share my story.
Every woman between the ages of 25 and 64 is invited to have a smear test, and they can be life-saving, as I found out. I was invited for my first just before I turned 25 and was nervous, but after some reassurance from my mum – and friends who had already had one – I booked myself in.
Smear tests, also known as cervical screening tests, are designed to check the health of a woman’s cervix and also can help to find any abnormal changes before they turn into cancer. While most people’s results come back negative, some can test positive for these abnormalities and I was one of them.
It’s safe to say I am now a huge advocate for smear tests, and I would advise any woman to get one as soon as they can, because mine saved my life and I now realise the true importance of having one. While it can be a bit embarrassing and uncomfortable, it’s five minutes that can stop cancer in its tracks and save your life.
Like many other women, I had no idea what HPV (human papillomavirus) was and thought the test was to check for cervical cancer. I was left with so many questions, not to mention the overwhelming emotions when I got a letter to say I had “abnormal cells” and had tested positive for “high risk” HPV.
I had to do a lot of googling and speaking to others who had gone through the same thing just to find what HPV actually was. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV (99.7 per cent).
I was extremely frustrated there was no proper guidance. All I was told was I needed a colposcopy and potentially some “treatment”, depending on the outcome of the procedure.
High-risk HPV essentially means abnormal cells have been detected, which over time could turn cancerous if not treated. There are two types of HPV positive results. Being high risk meant I needed the life-saving surgery to remove them as my body was unable to do so. Low-risk HPV means the body should be able to naturally fight the cells off and return to normal. Women in the low-risk category just need another smear test in a year’s time to check it has disappeared.
Having the routine smear test was absolutely fine. It was over within five minutes. I asked the nurse about the results and she said I’d be sent a letter in a few weeks. She told me they checked for HPV, but I had nothing to worry about. However, four days after my smear test, I got a phone call from the hospital.
They told me my results had come back showing abnormal cells and I shouldn’t worry, but I needed a colposcopy and possibly some treatment to eradicate the cells. They booked me in for the following Tuesday and told me I had also been sent a letter putting it in writing. I was impressed by how quickly it had all been put through, but nevertheless, I was petrified.
I was now convinced I had cervical cancer thanks to Doctor Google and felt myself getting increasingly angry at the sheer lack of information out there. Only last month, leading charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust went into administration, after providing support for two decades – a crushing blow when more awareness is desperately needed.
A colposcopy is a further examination of the cervix – a bit like a more in-depth smear test – where nurses are able to see if there are abnormalities in the cervix cells. Again, I had no clue what “treatment” meant in this context. The days running up to my appointment at the hospital felt painstakingly slow. At this point, I was so overwhelmed, I still felt certain I had cancer and I was struggling. When the day finally came for my colposcopy, they could see abnormal cells and told me I needed a treatment called a large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). This is when I finally started to get some answers.
The nurse was brilliant at reassuring me, and while I had no idea I was having surgery that day when I walked into the hospital, they did all they could to keep me calm. My mum was right by my side, and the nurse told me everything that was about to happen and that they were about to remove the part of the affected cervix. While it was all a blur, the only bit I registered was they were about to use a heated wire loop to remove the abnormal cells. According to the NHS, mild abnormalities don’t always need to be treated, but if needed, the aim is to remove the abnormal cervical cells while preserving as much normal tissue as possible. They estimate that less than one in 1,000 women referred for colposcopy are found to have cervical cancer that requires immediate treatment. I was that one in 1,000.
LLETZ removes a small part of the cervix and it can be used to treat cervical cell changes (abnormal cells) or early-stage cervical cancer, as well as to diagnose cervical cancer. It uses a thin wire loop with an electrical current to remove the affected area.
Even though I was having surgery, I was an outpatient, but thankfully I had a lot of support and my own room. To say I wasn’t in pain would be a lie – I was given a local anaesthetic in my cervix which makes me cross my legs at the thought of it – but it was over in under 10 minutes. I was so glad my mum was able to stay with me, I squeezed her hand tightly during the procedure.
On the LLETZ treatment, the NHS states: “Removing abnormal cervical cells is usually successful (about a 90 per cent success rate). You should be invited for a follow-up cervical screening test to check that the treatment has been successful.”
And six months later, I had another smear test to check everything had gone smoothly. I was very nervous about the results, even though medics were almost certain the surgery had been successful. Luckily it was and I was so pleased to know I no longer had to worry. I now have to have a smear test every year, rather than every three years like most women, but I truly value the peace of mind this gives me. If I had put off having that very first smear test, I would be in a very different position today.
If I hadn’t gone for my screening, those abnormal cells would have likely turned cancerous, resulting in a devastating cancer diagnosis. Each year 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and five-year survival currently stands at 67.4%.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme was introduced in 1988 and in its first 20 years, contributed to cervical cancer cases falling by a third. This is why smear tests are important – they’re the best protection against developing cervical cancer. They can prevent an estimated 75 per cent of diagnoses.
A more recent development in cervical cancer prevention is the HPV vaccination programme. The vaccination, offered to girls aged 11-17 since 2008, protects against 70 per cent of cervical cancers. Don’t be scared – go for your smear test. It could just save your life.
- If you have any concerns about cervical cancer or smear tests, it’s always best to speak to your GP. Find more information and support at eveappeal.org.uk/supporting-you and the NHS website
