Staff Reporter –
New Zealand is observing September as ‘Cervical Screening Awareness Month,’ to highlight the importance of smear test and to motivate women to book for screening.
Well Women and Family Trust General Manager Jane Piper said that it is a short and simple procedure, as mentioned by many who have gone through the process.
“It has proven ability to save lives. We recommend screening every three years to reduce the risk of bad cells developing into something that could potentially be life-threatening,” Ms Piper said.
Preventable form
Cervical Cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer and screening every three years can reduce the risk by 90%.
According to Ms Piper, regular smears increase the chance of detecting any abnormal cells and treating them before they become cancerous.
“The National Screening Unit is encouraging more women to recognise the importance of cervical screening and effectively reduce the number of New Zealand women developing cervical cancer. New Zealand has one of the best screening programmes in the world, with a significant drop (60%) in the number of women dying from the disease,” she said.
An Example
When Auckland based doctor Suneela Mehta visited her General Practitioner (GP) three years ago for a routine check-up, she was advised to undergo Cervical Screening and Smear Test, which is today a routine matter.
This was yet another example to prove that everyone, including a doctor, should undergo periodic medical tests to eliminate suspicions and detect early problems that can later become life-threatening.
The 39-year-old woman was indeed nervous and worried that the screening process could cause physical discomfort and perhaps even hurt.
She asked for a female doctor and was later amazed at the speed and simplicity with which the test was conducted.
Skilled staff
“It was no big deal. The staff were really skilled, they put me at ease and I see it now as just one of those routine things that I do for my health and wellbeing. It is like going to the physio or a regular dental check-up,” Ms Mehta said.
She said that over the years she had lost keeping track of Cervical Screening and Smear Test on a regular basis, especially during the time I was raising my two children. My GP was very good in sending me reminders,” she said.
Well Women and Family Trust will run free Cervical Screening Clinics with the help of experienced female nurses during this month.
For more information, please contact your GP or call 0800-729729.
Website: www.cervicalscreening.govt.nz or www.wons.org.nz/csam/
