Script – an opportunistic chat and making an appointment 5-6 minutes

  • How are you?
  • I’m OK. Its my moko that I’ve come for today. She’s due her jabs.
  • Oh, and so you have to stay here anyway for a little while. That’s probably why the nurse suggested it could be a good time to talk with me about a cervical test.
  • Yes, but I have my period at the moment
  • That’s OK. Let’s just see how we could make it easy for you to have another smear. I can see that you have already had some in the past and your last one was four years ago. Tell me how you feel about having another one.
  • It was really painful last time and I don’t think I need another one.
  • I’m sorry to hear it was painful for you. It may not be painful the next time, though. I’m really good at taking smears and it’s not often that it gets worse than a bit uncomfortable for a few seconds. I can be very careful and you can tell me to stop at any time. We have a nice private, comfortable room and that helps ladies to relax. If we are relaxed it is much easier. Tell me why you feel you don’t need another test.
  • I’m separated now. I don’t have a partner at all.
  • Lots of women think that if they are no longer having sex they don’t need to continue having smears. Actually, that’s not true because the changes we are testing for can take many years to show up. Women are safest if they continue to have regular tests right up until they are 70.
  • My auntie died of cancer of the cervix when she was 65.
  • Well, it is not something that runs in families, and we do know that by far the most women who get cancer of the cervix have either never had a test, or have not had tests regularly. That’s why I am encouraging you to have one soon and to keep having them. Then if there are any early changes they can be treated before cancer ever develops.
  • I thought it was a test for cancer.
  • No. We like to see that your cervix is keeping healthy. Even when there are changes your body most often deals with it and next time it is back to normal. We just keep a closer watch until that happens. Can I make you an appointment at a time that suits you? It will only take a few minutes.
  • I’m looking after baby all the time now
  • We can help with that. Someone will look after her while you have the test.
  • OK, well she is best and I like to come fresh early in the morning.
  • Great. The receptionist can make you an appointment any day Monday to Friday at 8.30. I have covered off a few things about the test. I hope I have been clear but unless I ask you I don’t know. Can you tell me what I have told you that makes you feel better about coming along? If you have a friend who has similar issues, what would you tell her that might encourage her to get a test?

At the appointment

  • Hi again. Good to see you and I want to show you how I am going to take the test. Come in and take a seat. Do you remember how the test is taken?
  • Yes, that’s what hurt last time. It seemed to take her forever because she could not see it.
  • I have a few tricks to help make sure I can find the cervix. Here is the speculum which I use. Actually, choosing the right size makes all the difference. You are quite tall and I would expect to use this one. Can you see that when it is closed it is not scarily big? It slips into your vagina when it is closed and then I can open it and see your cervix sitting at the top. Because your vagina walls are really stretchy, opening the speculum is no problem. When I can see your cervix like this, I can see the bit which opens up for a baby to pass, and this little brush is what I use to collect some cells. Feel it. Then I put the cells into a jar and send it off to the laboratory. Shall we have a go? I’m going to lock the door so we won’t be disturbed. Let’s pull the curtains around while you slip your knickers off, but you can leave your skirt on, just raise up to your thighs.
  • Woman gets up onto the couch
  • Put your hands on your tummy…………
  • Smear is taken
  • So, I told you how the cells are popped into a jar and sent off to the laboratory. They look at them under a microscope and will let me know within two weeks whether the cells are normal or have any changes. If there are any changes, I will let you know and I will explain exactly what you can expect at that point. Sometimes it is just a case of getting you to come back a bit earlier than usual so we can check whether those cells have gone back to normal.