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By postCancer Screening
Barlow Medical Centre offers both breast and cervical cancer screening.
Breast Screening
All women between the ages of 50 and 64 are invited for mammography (breast x-ray) every three years. Women over the age of 64 may refer themselves for screening every 3 years.
Why don't women under 50 have regular screening?
A women's breasts, when she is over 50 and often after her periods have ceased, stay the same month after month. There are few changes.
However, a women under 50 has daily changes to her breasts as she goes through the usual 28-day menstrual cycle. Mammograms of ladies under 50 are difficult to interpret and the rate of false 'positive' screening is higher than in the over-50 group.
How often should I check my breasts for lumps?
At least once a month.
And if I find a lump what should I do?
Make an appointment immediately to see your doctor. If in doubt - have a check. We have several lady doctors in the practice.
Cervical Screening
We encourage all our adult female patients to have this simple test at least every three years. You may have your smear taken by your regular doctor, a lady doctor or by the practice nurses.
It's worth remembering that less than 10% of cervical smear tests show any abnormality at all.
What is a smear test?
The nurse or doctor will take a sample from the cervix (the neck of the womb) by gently rotating a brush over it. This sample is mixed into a preservative fluid and sent to a lab for analysis.
What do the results mean?
Very few cervical smears pick up actual cancer. If you have an abnormality you will be advised by your doctor what treatment (if any) is needed and he or she will arrange it for you. As a basic guide to smear results:
- A negative result means that no abnormal cells
have been seen. Your next smear will be in 3 years.
If you have any abnormal bleeding, either mid-cycle or after intercourse, PLEASE DON'T WAIT for your next smear - report this to your Doctor immediately. - An inadequate / unsatisfactory result means that the sample contained insufficient cells. The laboratory could not give a result. A repeat smear is normally advised in 3 months.
- An abnormal result means that there are changes that could cause problems in the future. The usual recommendation from the laboratory is that the smear should be repeated in 3 or 6 months. A further abnormal result would probably be referred for colposcopy.
See also: NHS full explanation of cervical screening results [PDF]
