In conjunction with local business InnerBeauty Frome, on Saturday the 2nd March the Frome Medical Practice will be offering free smear-ready waxes to their patients attending a special smear test clinic at the surgery.
The initiative takes place in support of the campaign to increase awareness of cervical cancer. Jo Owen has been running InnerBeauty Frome from her premises in Catherine Hill for more than 10 years. The idea of offering a free pre-smear bikini-style wax preparation came about following a chance conversation between Jo and Vic Yerbury, a practice nurse at the Frome Medical Practice.
“I think that everyone is aware of the worrying decline in the number of women undergoing a smear test,’ says Jo. “However, I also knew of what a few salons in other parts of the country had done to help encourage women to undergo the test. So, after talking it through with Vic and her colleagues at the Frome Medical Practice, on the morning of Saturday the 2nd March, my team and I will be temporarily moving our salon up to the practice where we will be offering a free pre-smear wax preparation for those women who want it. I have also been very fortunate in that my wax supply company has very kindly donated all of the wax that we shall need for the event. If all this helps to encourage women to come forward and take the smear test, then brilliant!”
“Having a smear is one of the most important screenings a women can do to protect against cervical cancer,” adds Vic Yerbury. “Cervical cancer can occur at any age and we are concerned at the number of young women who aren’t attending. Part of this campaign is to remind women that if you can brave the spatula and the wax you can certainly brave a smear which most women report is a lot less painful.”
The special clinic will run from 10am to 1pm on Saturday the 2nd March. It is a drop-in clinic for all women registered with the Frome Medical Practice who are either due or overdue a smear test. The free wax treatment is subject to availability on the day.
“This is an exciting initiative and the free waxing service on offer is also likely to be popular,” says Karen Creffield, the practice manager at the Frome Medical Practice. “A big ‘thank you’ is due to Jo and all of her team for so generously giving their time and skills free of charge. Any encouragement for women to take the test is absolutely welcome. I would re-iterate that on the 2nd March it will be a walk in service that will be in operation. Patients should just turn up on the morning. To clarify, I would add that of course any patient can elect on the 2nd March just to have the smear test, without the preliminary waxing option.
“For patients unable to get to the special clinic on the 2nd March, then of course they will still be able to book ahead for a smear test (unfortunately without the free waxing service!) on other dates,” adds Karen. ‘These patients should either speak to their nurse, or alternatively book an appointment online or by popping in to the practice or by calling us after 2pm to make the booking.”
Above: Vic and Jo.
