WELCOME to the first fortnightly health column from NHS Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – the organisation responsible for Trafford’s NHS budget.
Covering topics including access to local health services, self-management of minor illnesses and the promotion of health messages across the borough, our this first column highlights the importance of cervical screening.
Recently, Trafford CCG and Trafford Council have been promoting cervical screening (smear tests) to women aged 25-64, as there around 1000 in the borough who are overdue their tests which puts their health at risk.
Shelly Quinton Hulme, a 42 year old cervical cancer survivor from Stretford, joined the campaign to urge local women to have their tests and said she thanked her “lucky stars” she went for hers when she did.
Shelly said: “I remember I was six months late going for my smear test at the time - I kept putting it off as I led a busy life and it’s not something anyone I know enjoys. I finally got round to it and while the doctor was doing the examination he told me that I had a polyp and that I would be referred to a gynaecologist to have it removed and sent for analysis.”
The results confirmed Shelly had cervical cancer but just two surgeries later, and in a matter of weeks, the cancer was gone.
She continued: “My consultant told me if I had not gone for my smear and left it later, they may not have been able to limit the cancer as they did.”
Shelly is now happily married with an eight year-old son, Max, and said that life couldn’t be better.”
Smear tests do not take long to carry out and they are free of charge to women aged 25 to 64. Those aged 25-49 should be tested every three years and women aged 50 to 64 should be tested every five.
Sale GP and Chair of Trafford CCG - Dr Kath Sutton, said: “I would urge women in Trafford to always take advantage of their smear test invite, as well as other screening opportunities; it only takes a minute and it can save a life.”
If you have received your test invite through the post, or even if you haven’t but know you are overdue, please call your GP surgery to arrange an appointment.
Alternatively, you can contact Trafford Sexual Health Services on 0161 749 1160 or visit bridgewater.nhs.uk/trafford/sexualhealthservice
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