GynaeCheck – Know Your Options

Cervical cancer is something that few people talk about, it is almost taboo and women themselves are the ones making it so. I don’t know about you but I hate the idea of going for a smear test, even though I have had two babies (and therefore all dignity has been lost in the labour ward!) I still find the idea of baring all to a stranger completely horrendous.

I received my letter calling me up for my 3 yearly test recently and I was instantly nervous. I will be honest with you, I still haven’t made the appointment.

Me and Dr Pixie. We met at the GynaeHealth event and she is lovely!

Each year in the UK, 3,100 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, you may have had a scare yourself at some point or known someone to have been affected. I know a couple of people to have had a positive result come back after their smear and yet I am putting off a test that can rule out the possibility that I myself have it. Why is that?

There are a couple of reasons I have been delaying my appointment, first of all and probably the main reason is that I never know when to book it. You have to make the appointment for the middle of your cycle and knowing the receptionists at my doctors surgery this is no easy task!

Secondly is the fact I have had unpleasant experiences in the past. I am 31 years old and I actually had my first smear when I was 20, before the law changed. So I have had a fair few tests now, including ones with the metal instrument! Just awful.

So this is where the GynaeCheck comes in, it offers another way- one that isn’t as obtrusive and does not require you to make an appointment.

So how does it work?

It works in a similar way to a smear in that it is an internal procedure. However, unlike a smear it collects fluid from the cervix, this is then sent off to a lab where it is tested for HPV.

HPV is the virus that, in 99% of cases, is the cause of cervical cancer. If you can be tested for the virus you will know if you are likely to develop the disease further down the line. Those who test positive will receive advice on the next steps, directing them to a GP or gynaecologist.

Women should note a positive HPV result does not mean they have cervical cancer, but HPV presence puts them at a slightly higher risk so they should see a healthcare professional for a further cytology test. Those with a negative test are advised to screen again with GynaeCheck in two years’ time.

In line with the national screening programme, the device is available to women aged 25 and can be ordered online for £129. Obviously this is an expense but if you want to check against a deadly disease and do not like the idea of a smear then this is certainly a great option.

My own experience

I have used the GynaeCheck myself and am awaiting the results. Having had a few negative results over the last 10 years and having been with Mr F in that whole time I am sure it will all come back fine. HPV is tranmitted sexually and so I know I have been safe, however for anyone thinking they are fine you should know it can take up to 12 years for the virus to show itself. You just never know.

The procedure was really easy, they say it takes 3 seconds and it is true. There was nothing unpleasant and I was able to do it in the comfort of my own home. The sample is now on its way to the lab and I will update this post with my result. Hopefully it should take around 10 days to get the result in the post.

I would definitely recommend this for anyone who leads a busy life, finds it hard to get to the doctors or who finds the whole experience unpleasant or embarrassing. Obviously if you can still have your smear test as part of the national screening program then that is great, testing for the cancer itself is of course important, the GynaeCheck just offers another way.

What do you think? Have you ever put off a smear test or had an unpleasant experience?