Cervical cancer Resources

Cervical screening can be a lifesaving intervention, but the test is not easy for every patient. An almost infinite amount of factors can make the test difficult: it is invasive, it can be very hard for those with physical disabilities, and even getting a convenient appointment can be challenging. The same is true for trans men and/or non-binary people with a cervix. However, for this group, there are additional personal and systematic barriers to accessing routine cervical screening, as well as potential discrimination because of their gender identity. Here, Eluned Hughes, head of health information and engagement, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, looks in detail at a number of these barriers and gives practical tips to help general practice nurses (GPNs) overcome them, and presents a patient’s experience of attending cervical screening

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, with around 311,000 women dying of the disease in 2018 (World Health Organization [WHO], 2020). In the UK, cervical cancer accounts for approximately 870 deaths each year. Effective primary (human papilloma virus [HPV] vaccination) and secondary (screening and treating precancerous lesions) strategies are therefore paramount in preventing unnecessary mortality, especially given that cervical cancers are one of the most successfully treated if caught early (WHO, 2020). Obtaining an adequate sample during cervical screening is of the utmost importance to ensure early histological changes are detected. Whether lubrication should be used during the screening process is a contentious issue, since contamination of the sample with lubricant can mean that vital histological changes are missed, thereby putting women at risk. This also needs to be balanced with women’s comfort, since an uncomfortable experience may lead to women failing to attend for future screening. This article looks at the current literature available, with recommendations for further research.