Cervical screening: Fifteen minutes could save your life

Date: 1 September 2016

“Fifteen minutes could save your life”

It’s an easy area to ignore but this September, Southern women are being urged to have a cervical screening if it’s due or overdue as part of Cervical Screening Awareness Month.

“Just do it,” says Linda Moir, Cervical Screening Programme Leader for Southern District Health Board. “We care about women’s well-being and this type of cancer is very preventable.”

Every year 160 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in New Zealand, with 50 women who die from it.

Having regular cervical smear tests reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer by 90 percent. Three yearly screening is recommended for women from the age of 20 to 69 if they have ever been sexually active.

“The screening takes around 15 minutes, and is an uncomplicated procedure with a proven ability to save lives,” says Mrs Moir.

Wendi Raumati was just 21 years-old with high grade abnormal cells, a precursor to cervical cancer, in 1976 after the standard six week cervical screen following the birth of her fourth child.

“When you hear the word ‘cancer’ it makes your mind boggle,” she says. “I thought I was going to die. Who would look after my babies?”
Wendi had high grade abnormal cells which resulted in a cone biopsy – the removal of a cone shaped piece of tissue from the cervix.

Now 62, she says the screening saved her life. “I wouldn’t be here to see my whakapapa grow if it wasn’t for my wonderful doctor who listened to me and insisted on further investigation.”

Although Wendi has been cancer-free for forty years, she still has a cervical screening every three years.

“As a mother of four daughters, I want future generations to have the best chance of catching it early. I encourage all women of all ethnicities over the age of 20 to have cervical screenings.

“I’m alive because of it.”

To support Cervical Screening Awareness Month in the Southern DHB district every woman who has a smear during the month of September will have the opportunity to enter a draw to win one of several gift baskets, and the DHB will also have notice boards up in their hospitals with information about Cervical Screening.

To find out more about cervical screening visit www.cervicalscreening.govt.nz

ENDS

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