Don't fear the smear!

Thursday 08 February 2018

The relatively high cost some women pay for smear tests could change in the future, as Guernsey's Committee for Health and Social Care continues to encourage them to attend appointments for the potentially life saving test.

Currently, 80% of women in Guernsey do take up the opportunity to have a regular smear test, which is higher than the national average. Statistics for the UK suggest one in four eligible women do not currently take up their invitation for a smear test, with that rising to one in three among 25-29 year olds.

Dr Nicola Brink, the Acting Director of Public Health, said the aim of the cervical screening programme is to detect and treat changes in the cervix before they become cancerous, known as "pre-cancerous changes". 

Some women have told Express the charges for a smear test are "too high", with surgeries charging between £62 and £86 for the procedure, depending on whether it is carried out by a GP or a nurse, according to their individual websites:

• Island Health (St Sampson's, L'Aumone and Town) £86.00 for a doctor and £64.00 for a nurse
• Healthcare (Cobo, St Martin's, Rohais and High Street) £86.00 for a doctor and £66.00 for a nurse
• Queen's Road Medical Practice (Queen's Road and Longfrie) £84.30 for a doctor and £62.60 for a nurse

With regard to the charges, HSC says it pays for the cost of the test while the GP practices charge to take the sample and also to run the call and recall system. In a statement HSC says "this has been discussed at Committee and is an area we plan to look at during this year".

Dr Brink accepts: "The cost can be a factor in putting off some women from having the test, but some may also be concerned about the test being uncomfortable. For the latter we would like to reassure woman that most experience only minimal discomfort."

HSC says fewer than five people are diagnosed with cervical cancer on average each year in Guernsey.

The uptake of cervical screening in Guernsey is in the region of 80% for those women registered with a GP and HSC says that has been stable in recent years. The recorded uptake in England from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme for 2016 was 72.7%.

Symptoms of cervical cancer include bleeding: 

• Between periods
• During or after sex
• At any time if you are past your menopause

Some women also have: 

• A vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant
• Discomfort or pain during sex

HSC says "there are many other conditions that cause these symptoms. Most of them are much more common than cervical cancer. But you should go to your doctor straight away if you have any of these symptoms."