In conjunction with Jo’s Trust, the leading UK cervical cancer charity, the Frome Medical Centre is promoting Cervical Cancer Prevention Week between the 20th and the 26th January.
Elaine Keene is the lead nurse at the Frome Medical Practice.
“Every year we actively try and support this vital and very necessary campaign,” says Elaine. “For several years at the practice we have been concerned at the low take up rate of patients who have opted to take the smear test. However, this year there is very much an extra incentive for women to have the test carried out.”
In November last year HPV primary screening was introduced.
“The actual test procedure remains exactly the same,” explains Elaine. “However, what now happens is that with HPV primary screening, it tests for high risk human papillomavirus, being able to identify those who may be at risk of developing cervical cell changes or cervical cancer. This is a very significant and important development.”
Elaine and her colleagues hope to be able to target and attract those women who are overdue in undergoing cervical screening.
“We have therefore made the process of arranging for a test a great deal easier,” says Elaine. “We are organising special Saturday smear clinics on both the 18th and the 25th January. The clinics run from 8.30 to 12 noon and patients can either book an appointment via the usual channels or alternatively just drop-in. We all have busy lives but hopefully these Saturday clinics, plus knowledge of the HPV primary screening that is now available, will persuade more women to take up this opportunity to take the smear test. The test itself takes no more than 5 minutes and the bottom line is that cervical screening saves lives.”
Anyone wishing to obtain further information can contact Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust at Jostrust.org.uk.
