Yes, You Can Take A Friend To Your Cervical Screening

Not your average friend hangout, but it's time to rethink how you and your besties should show up for each other... This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, the UK's leading gynae cancers charity The Eve Appeal is raising awareness of the adaptations you can ask for to make your cervical screening (sometimes known as a smear test, or pap smear in the US) more comfortable. Some find it intimidating, uncomfortable, traumatic or painful for various reasons. If this is your experience, it's important to know that your feelings are valid and should be taken into account by your healthcare provider. However, cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect against cervical cancer, and it’s important that every single person who is eligible gets booked in. In this guide, find out what to expect at your appointment and as seen in The Eve Appeal's campaign, Whatever Gets You Going, the accommodations you have the right to request that can make all the difference in your experience.  

What causes cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is preventable, and around 5,000 lives are shared each year through the NHS cervical screening programme. The cervical screening process aims to pick up early cell changes caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), known as the pre-cancerous stage, and to remove these cells before they become cancerous. 

HPV is a virus that infects the skin and the cells lining body cavities, with the main places for the infection being on the hands, mouth and genital areas. It is spread from person to person through close skin-to-skin contact, which is often during sexual activity. HPV is very common infection and typically causes no symptoms at all, with around 80% of people will be infected with the virus at some point in their lives.

Most of the time, our body will clear the infection on its own and we will never know we had it. However, in some cases, the infection stays around for much longer, becoming persistent. There are hundreds of different types of HPV, of which most are harmless. However, there are roughly 12 types that can cause cancer, and these are called ‘high-risk’ types. Those who have persistent infections that are the ‘high-risk’ HPV types are the most likely to develop cancer in the future.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

It’s important to pay close attention if you experience symptoms including:

• irregular menstrual bleeding
  
  

• bleeding between periods
  
  

• bleeding after sex
  
  

• increased vaginal discharge
  
  

• pain during sex
  
  

• bleeding after the menopause
  
  

These symptoms don't exclusively mean cervical cancer, and they can be signs of many different conditions. However, if you do notice that you’re experiencing any of the above, make sure to swiftly have a chat with your GP or a healthcare professional. We’re big advocates for knowing your ‘normal’ - it’s very important to pay attention to your body. If anything feels unusual or out-of-the-ordinary for you, you’re more likely to spot it and know to seek help.

What to expect at a cervical screening?

1. You’ll be asked to undress from the waist down and lie on a table with your feet placed in stirrups (a kind of holder). You’ll be then be covered with a paper blanket to expose purely the area for testing. Top tip: you might find wearing a long dress or skirt helps you feel less exposed, and is less faff when getting partially undressed.
   
   

2. Your GP or nurse will insert a piece of medical equipment called a speculum into your vagina to help hold it open and provide access to the cervix.
   
   

3. A small, soft brush or spatula will be used to gently collect cells from the surface of the cervix. The entire procedure usually takes just a few minutes to complete.
   
   

4. The collected cells will be sent to a lab for analysis to check for any abnormalities or signs of cervical cancer.
   
   

5. You'll receive an update in the post with your results. There are four results, including:
   - HPV Negative: no action required and you'll be invited to attend an appointment in 3-5 years time as normal.
   - HPV Positive: No Abnormal Cells. If your test is positive for HPV, your cells will also be tested for abnormal cells. If none are present, no treatment is needed but you will be requested to attend a screening sooner than usual.
   - HPV Positive: Abnormal Cells Found. Your results letter will tell you what grade of abnormal cells are present (as they range in seriousness) and refer you to a procedure called a colposcopy.
   - Inadequate Result: the laboratory was unable to get a proper result (for reasons including technical issues). You will be asked to take another cervical screening in three months, which gives time for enough new cells to generate in the cervix. 

Adjustments You Can Ask for at Your Cervical Screening

So, if you’ve ever felt nervous about attending an appointment, or are worried about what to expect at your very first screening, there are lots of accommodations you can ask for. These can help relieve to stress or anxiety you might have and ensure you take up your appointment. You can ask for:

• A break
  The Eve Appeal’s 2025 research shows that 1 in 2 don’t realise they can ask for their screening to pause at any moment. If you need a minute to breathe or a quick break if it all gets too much, you can ask your GP or nurse to stop. It can be useful to agree a hand signal or word in advance that will clearly flag that you want them to pause for you.
  
  

• A smaller speculum
  3 in 4 didn’t know they could request a smaller size of speculum. Have a chat with your healthcare provider at the start of your appointment and they can work with you to find a size of speculum that is most comfortable for you.
  
  

• Someone to accompany you
  You don’t have to go it alone. Support can make all the difference, and you can bring a friend, partner, family member or carer along to your appointment.
  
  

• To listen to a podcast, audiobook or music
  Distraction can be helpful! A silly and/or soothing podcast like Off Menu might just be the ticket to take your mind off the procedure.
  
  

• To try a different position
  Instead of lying on your back, you can ask to lie on your side with your knees pulled up to your chest.
  
  

• For more lube
  If you find insertion of the speculum uncomfortable or painful, or just plain want a smoother experience, you can ask for a little more lubricant to be added.
  
  

• A female doctor or nurse
  If you’d feel more comfortable with a female doctor or nurse, you can request this when you book your cervical screening.
  
  

• An explanation of what’s happening
  Sometimes it can be worrying lying in silence, especially if medical procedures make you nervous. You can ask for a step-by-step explanation of what’s happening to demystify each step.
  
  

• Information on your screening in Easy Read
  You can also access clear and specifically designed informational sheets for people with learning disabilities or autism, or in your preferred language.

Remember, you are welcome to take up your cervical screening appointment even if you were due to head along several months or years ago. You won’t get in trouble - your GP and/or sexual health centre will just be happy to get you screened. Book in, prep ahead with this guide and get set to advocate for your comfort! 

Want more?

• HANX Co-Founder and gynae expert Dr Sarah Welsh shares eight things you don’t need to worry about before your cervical screening. Learn more here.
  
  

• Find The Eve Appeal’s essential advice for accessing cervical screening as a trans man or non binary person.
  
  

• From vaccinations to tranmission, get our in-house medical expert's guide to HPV.