OPINION: I put off my cervical check but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be…

When I turned 25 last September I got the dreaded letter to get my cervical check.

According to the Irish Cancer Society:  “A cervical check involves taking a sample of cells from your cervix for testing to see if you have any of the high-risk types of human papillomavirus (hrHPV) that cause cervical cancer. 

“If hrHPV is found, your same test sample will be checked to see if you have any abnormal (pre-cancerous) cells in your cervix.

“You will usually have your cervical screening test at a GP surgery or at a clinic. 

“Cervical cancer screening is not a test for cancer, it's a test to spot those who are at risk. Cervical screening is important because it can detect abnormal changes early before they become a cancer. This could save your life.”

Now, I had heard lots of my friends say the experience wasn’t the best and also social media didn’t help comfort me either.

So like most young women, I put it off and in January I found myself at the doctors and it just happened. The doctor asked if I had mine and when I reluctantly replied no, she said “while you are here let's give it a go.”  

READ NEXT: WATCH: Shocking footage as man is pulled from driver's seat of Garda car

Now the doctor was aware of my apprehension and she was extremely kind, she answered any questions I had and made me feel like no question was stupid. 

All doctors are not the same and I recognise that but every doctor wants the experience to go as smoothly as possible for you so don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for what you want or need or any questions you have to make the experience go as smoothly as possible for you.

If you are due to get your cervical check or have put it off like I did or if you have no idea what to expect then let's go through exactly what happens.

As explained by the Health Service Executive (HSE): “The GP or nurse will ask you to undress from the waist down and lie down on a bed. 

“You can usually remain dressed if you're wearing a loose skirt. But you will still have to remove your underwear.

“They will ask you to lie on your back with your legs bent, feet together and knees apart. But you can lie on your side if it’s more comfortable for you.

“When you are ready, they gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina - this holds the walls of the vagina open. They may use a small amount of lubricant. 

“They open the speculum so they can see your cervix. Using a soft brush, they take a small sample of cells from your cervix. They remove the speculum and leave you to get dressed.

“You may have some spotting or light bleeding after your test. This is very common and should go away in a few hours.”

It all over in a few minutes and you can also have another person in the room with you if that makes you feel more comfortable. 

The experience is uncomfortable and the most uncomfortable part is when the speculum is opened. You will feel pressure but it is not painful and if it is or if it feels too much you can ask the nurse or GP to stop at any time. 

The nurse or GP will send your sample to the lab and results can take up to a month but it may take less. I got my results in two weeks, a letter will be sent to your home address and your GP or nurse may ring you to discuss the results and guide you on what is best after. 

According to the Irish Cancer Society: “It's estimated that cervical screening can prevent 3 out of 4 cervical cancer cases.

“Women and people with a cervix between the age of 25 and 65 should have regular cervical screening tests.

“If you're between 25 and 29 years of age, you will usually have a cervical screening test every 3 years.

“If you're between 30 and 65 years of age, you will usually have a cervical screening test every 5 years.

“It's safe to wait for 5 years between tests if you do not have a high-risk HPV infection.

“If you're having your periods, the best time to have your test is halfway through your cycle: that's 10-14 days after the first day of your period.”

Your cervical check is free and you can check when your next one is due HERE.