A new suite of videos aimed at increasing the uptake of smear tests has been launched by NHS Lanarkshire.
They include messages about cervical screening for the whole population and specifically for Lanarkshire’s South Asian communities.
Celia Briffa-Watt, NHS Lanarkshire Consultant in Public Health, said: “We’ve created three videos with discussions about cervical screening – two podcasts and a lived-experience story.
“One of the podcasts is for a general audience and features two young women talking about cervical screening and how important it is to attend when invited. We know our cervical screening uptake in young women, especially those who receive their very first invitation, is lower than we’d like it to be.
“The other podcast has two young women of South Asian heritage chatting about the importance of going for a test despite the fact that that it’s not a subject that’s often discussed in their community.
“The lived experience video is also aimed at our South Asian communities, where there may be a reluctance to attend for cervical screening for cultural reasons. It features Saffiya – a fictional name for privacy – who is initially doubtful about going for the test but then has life-saving treatment for cervical cancer. Importantly, we have produced versions of this message in Arabic and Urdu as well as English.
“All three videos have been created following work involving NHS Lanarkshire’s Public Health and Health Improvement teams and our local communities, including Lanarkshire Central Mosque in Bellshill, whose membership is among those who make up our diverse South Asian communities.
“The projects engaged with women to find out about the barriers they may experience in attending screening and consider what resources could be co-developed to help them overcome these.”
Saffiya’s story was launched (25 June) at the mosque. Over 70 female members attended, giving positive feedback. The viewing prompted good discussion and some of the group said they will contact their GP to make their appointment as this was something they had been putting off.
One of the women involved in the engagement said: “Thank you so much for this. I didn’t realise your visits managed to gather so much information and I’m glad to have been a part of helping.”
Megan McNeil, NHS Lanarkshire Health Improvement Practitioner, said: “It would not have been possible to create these videos without the support from the mosque and all the ladies who attended and engaged with us. A special thank you to the kind family who were willing to share their experience with us.”
Celia added: “A smear test is the most effective and accurate way of finding out if you’re more likely to develop cervical cancer. It checks the cells from your cervix for the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is the main cause of cervical cancer. It’s still important to participate in screening even if you’ve had the HPV vaccination.
“And, if you didn’t go the last time you were invited or you’ve been putting it off, just contact your GP practice and ask for a cervical screening appointment. You don’t need to wait for your next invitation.
“Anyone aged 25 to 64 who’s eligible for screening is invited for a routine smear test. Screening only takes around five minutes.
“If you’d feel more comfortable with a female nurse or GP, be sure to mention this when you make your appointment. You can ask to discuss the smear test with the practice nurse before your appointment or ask for a double appointment if you think you need a bit longer during your smear test. You could even take a friend or relative along too, if you’d prefer.”
For full information on smear tests and those who are eligible, visit the cervical screening section on the NHS Inform website.
