5 February 2018

“Have you had your smear test yet?” is the question our cervical screening programme is asking Borders women. 

Over three quarters of eligible Borders women already take part in our cervical screening programme. This uptake is above the national average, and reflects the success of our screening programme.

Cervical screening is an easy way to prevent cancer by helping to detect abnormalities at an early stage and, if necessary, treat them to stop cancer developing. Even if you look and feel healthy and have no symptoms, a smear test can pick up changes to the cells of the cervix.

The aim of the cervical screening programme is to reduce the number of women who develop cervical cancer and the number of women who die from the condition. Since the screening programme was introduced in Scotland in the 1980s, rates have fallen from 18.6 diagnoses of cervical cancer per 100,000 persons in 1981, to 13.8 in 2015 (ISD Scotland Scottish Cervical Screening Programme Statistics 2015-16).

Julieann Brennan, Board Screening Coordinator, said: “We all need to talk about cervical screening and create a culture of normalisation and talkability to increase understanding about the programme. Over the past 12 months NHS Borders has delivered a variety of local awareness raising events and publicity. This has included campaigns and targeted activities across communities and individuals, working closely with general practices, development of a pilot for staff ‘amnesty’ clinics, as well as supporting national campaigns run by NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government.”

Dr Tim Patterson, Joint Director of Public Health, added: “Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 25-35 in Scotland, with around six women being diagnosed with cervical cancer every week. Smear tests save around 5,000 lives every year in the UK, and in many cases, can stop cervical cancer before it starts. This quick, simple and free test can pick up changes to your cells even if you look and feel healthy and have no symptoms. So I would urge every eligible individual to take advantage of our highly successful screening programme.”

Eligible women in Scotland who are registered with a GP will be routinely invited for cervical screening once every three or five years (www.nhsinform.scot). If you are

  • aged 25 to 49: every three years (women who are under the age of 25 who have already been invited for screening may be invited again before they reach 25).
  • aged 50 to 64: every five years.
  • over 65: Women on non-routine screening (where screening results have shown changes that require further investigation/follow up) are now invited up to age 70 years (a change from previous arrangements up to age 68).

If you have missed a smear test call your G.P. Practice to arrange an appointment.

If you’re frightened, don’t be. More information, including a step-by-step guide of what to expect during your smear test appointment, can be found online at: www.nhsinform.scot.