Women urged not to ignore smear test invite
Ellie Frankish, 40, is backing the Flower campaign which aims to raise awareness of the importance of a smear test, which can detect cells that could turn into cancer
A mother-of-two is urging women not to ignore their smear test invite after being treated for abnormal cells following a test.
Ellie Frankish, 40, is backing the Flower campaign which aims to raise awareness of the importance of a smear test, which can detect cells that could turn into cancer.
With six women being diagnosed with cervical cancer every week in Scotland the film challenges the reasons women give for not attending their smear.
Viewers are urged to “nip cervical cancer in the bud”, by not ignoring their next smear invite or contacting their GP practice if they missed their last smear.
The NHS Health Scotland and Scottish Government campaign is targeting those aged 25-35 in Scotland, as cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women of this age group.
However one in three women (33%) aged 25-35 in Scotland did not go for their smear when invited between April 1 2015 and March 31 2016, according to NHS figures.
Miss Frankish, from Edinburgh, had treatment to remove abnormal cells after attending a routine cervical screening appointment in 2015.
She said: “I have always attended screening with no problems and when I received a letter asking me to go for my regular smear I didn't hesitate in going.”
She was recalled for a second smear because abnormal cells had been found and was then referred to the colposcopy clinic at the hospital.
At the clinic, she was given treatment to remove the abnormal cells from her cervix.
She said: “The treatment wasn't the most pleasant experience but it was over really quickly and I only needed one day off work.
“After the treatment I had follow up smears every six months at the hospital and everything looks positive. If the results from my latest smear come back normal then I will have yearly smear tests at my GP practice.
“I am incredibly grateful I had early detection and successful treatment. Going for a smear test takes five minutes and it could save your life.”
All women in Scotland aged 25 to 49 are offered a smear test every three years while those aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years.
Health officials say the five minute test is the best way to protect women from the disease and helps save around 5,000 lives a year in the UK.
Mary Horne, a nurse practitioner at NHS Lothian, said: “You are not alone in not looking forward to your smear appointment, but I want to reassure all women that we nurses are trained to make sure your appointment is comfortable and smooth from start to finish.
“You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you like -there is no such thing as a silly question. You will be surprised at just how quick the whole test is.”
For more information on cervical screening, visit getcheckedearly.org/cervical-cancer