By Hannah Molloy, Communications Team, National Screening Service
Shireen Langan was attending her GP when she was asked if she was up to date with her cervical screening tests. Aged 29, Shireen had already had a screening test and had no concerns about her next one. However, when her result came back ’HPV found’, Shireen found herself on an unexpected journey to prevent her developing cervical cancer. Here, she tells us why she’s encouraging other women to choose screening.
‘’You always assume you’ll be grand’’
After Shireen received her screening test result she was invited for a follow-up appointment at a hospital colposcopy clinic. Shireen says she had little idea of what to expect at colposcopy, except from what she’d heard from some friends who had also had the experience. A colposcopy is where a doctor or nurse colposcopist has a closer look at the cervix and may perform a treatment or take a biopsy to investigate abnormal cells.
“The world’s nicest nurse” guided Shireen through her colposcopy procedure and told her what was happening at every stage. She is continuing to go to colposcopy for follow-up care.
Asking her more about her screening journey, she says that the three years between her screening invitations “rolled around fast”.
“It feels like more of a nuisance to attend but I am so happy now that my GP asked if I was up to date with my cervical screening and that I had my screening when I did. I had no idea that any changes were happening.”
HPV vaccination
“I have been vaccinated for HPV, so I also thought I was okay,” Shireen says.
Having the HPV vaccine in your early teens, coupled with regular screening between the ages of 25 and 65, is an effective way to help prevent you developing cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against certain types of HPV which includes the types that are most likely to cause cancer. However, it does not protect you from all types of HPV. This is why your test might show you have HPV even if you have been vaccinated. It’s also why you should continue to go for screening when invited, even if you have been vaccinated. The screening test further reduces your risk of developing cervical cancer, although due to the limitations of the test it also cannot reduce your risk entirely. This is why symptom awareness continues to be important.
Shireen tells people to ‘‘just go’’
“Sharing my story has helped encourage people to have the conversation with people about screening, whether with your sisters, friends, mothers, daughters, wives or partners.’’
“I was that person where I saw screening as an inconvenience, but I am delighted I went. Book your cervical screening appointment and just go.”
- CervicalCheck is for women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 65. You can check the register online to find out when your next cervical screening is due. You can also update your contact details to make sure you receive your screening invitation and results letters to the right place.
- Your sample is tested for HPV first. HPV causes most cervical cancers. Some cervical cancers are not caused by HPV and there is no screening test for these. Cervical cancer can develop between screening tests so you should find out about the symptoms of cervical cancer and go to your GP if you have any concerns. When cervical cancer is found at an early stage, it can be easier to treat and there is a better chance of recovery.
- Going for cervical screening every time you’re invited is one of the best ways to prevent and reduce the risk of cervical cancer developing. When are you due?
- Ireland is on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. The Cervical Cancer Elimination Partnership is now developing a national action plan to ensure we reach that target. You can add your voice to the action plan by taking part in online survey, available until 5 April 2024. We can make cervical cancer rare in Ireland, and you can help make it happen. Do the survey now.