Falkirk Florist Backs Cervical Screening Campaign With Blooms

A well-known Falkirk florist has created a floral window display in a bid to get women talking about cervical screening.

As part of Cervical Screening Awareness Week, (12- 18 June 2017), Ann Baff Flowers has replicated the bouquet used in ‘Flower’ – the cervical screening film which aims to challenge the reasons women give for not attending their smear.

With six women being diagnosed with cervical cancer every week in Scotland¹, the film urges viewers to ‘nip cervical cancer in the bud’, by not ignoring their next smear invite or contacting their GP practice if they missed their last smear.

And today, a lead nurse at NHS Forth Valley spoke out about the five minute, potentially life-saving test, in a bid to reassure women in Falkirk who regularly ignore their screening invite due to fear or embarrassment.

A smear test can detect cells that could turn into cancer. The five minute test is the best way to protect women from the disease and helps save around 5,000 lives a year in the UK².

All women in Scotland aged 25 to 49 are offered a smear test every three years while those aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years.

In Scotland, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged between 25-35³ and statistics highlight between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016, one in three women (33 per cent) aged 25-35 didn’t go for their smear when invited⁴.

Fiona Mulgrew, Lead Nurse Sister, NHS Forth Valley, said:

“I’ve carried out hundreds of smear tests during my career and afterwards, most women – especially if it’s their first time – are surprised by how quick and easy the test is.

“Of course, it’s natural to be nervous but, remember, local health staff are there to put you at ease and answer any questions and concerns you may have. So, please don’t ignore your screening invite when it pops through your letterbox, or forget about it completely, it could save your life.”

For more information on cervical screening, visit getcheckedearly.org

For further information, contact Emily at Consolidated PR on 0131 240 6420 or email Emily.Mackintosh@consolidatedpr.com

Case study:

Ellie Frankish, 40, from Edinburgh, had treatment to remove abnormal cells after attending a routine cervical screening appointment in 2015.

The mother-of-two, said: “I have always attended screening with no problems and when I received a letter asking me to go for my regular smear I didn’t hesitate in going.”

Ellie was recalled for a second smear because abnormal cells had been found and then referred to the colposcopy clinic at the hospital.

At the clinic, Ellie was given treatment to remove the abnormal cells from her cervix.

She explains: “The treatment wasn’t the most pleasant experience but it was over really quickly and I only needed one day off work.

“After the treatment I had follow up smears every six months at the hospital and everything looks positive. If the results from my latest smear come back normal then I will have yearly smear tests at my GP practice.

“I am incredibly grateful I had early detection and successful treatment. Going for a smear test takes five minutes and it could save your life.”

Notes to editors:

Pictures attached of Sarah Smith and Audrey Hendry and the flower display at Ann Baff Flowers, 10 Kerse Lane, Falkirk.

The campaign short film can be viewed here:  https://youtu.be/Y9z2n0IsUzA

1. Scottish Cancer Registry, ISD.
2. Peto et al 2004. The cervical cancer epidemic that screening has prevented in the UK Lancet 35, 249-256.
3. Based on women aged 25-35 (inclusive) who were diagnosed in the 5-year period 2009-2013. Source: the Scottish Cancer Registry. Reference IR2016-00831.
4. Source: ISD(D)4 SCCRS for 2007-08 data onwards – http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Cancer/Cervical-Screening/.

• A smear test checks the cells of a woman’s cervix (the neck of the womb) and is designed to pick up any changes so that they can be monitored or treated. Without treatment the changes can sometimes develop into cervical cancer.
• The test is routinely offered to all women in Scotland aged 25-49 every three years, with women aged 50 to 64 invited every five years
• Symptoms of cervical cancer can include:
  • Abnormal bleeding: during or after sexual intercourse, or between periods
  • Post-menopausal bleeding, if you are not on HRT or have stopped for six weeks
  • Unusual and/or unpleasant vaginal discharge
  • Discomfort or pain during sex
  • Lower back pain