NHS Wales (?)

Question 1

Describe Cervical Screening

Answer 1

Cervical screening is a test used to check the health of the cervix to help prevent and identify cervical cancers and HPV, offered to women aged 25-64.

HOW:
- undress from waist down and lie flat
- a spectulum is placed into the vagina by a nurse
- the speculum is opened so the nurse can see the cervix
- they will take a small sample of the cells from the cervix
- afterwards, you will receive a letter containing results.

Question 2

Describe Breast Screening

Answer 2

Breast screenings is when mammograms are used to look for cancers that are too small to see or feel, offered to women aged 50-71 every 3 years.

HOW:
- first ask about if any breast problems
- undress from waist up
- breasts placed into the X-ray machine, kept still by 2 pieces of plastic for a few seconds.
- machine is then tilted to one side and the process is repeated on side of breast.
- repeats again for second breast
- the results are sent by post

Question 3

Describe AAA screening

Answer 3

AAA screening (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) is a test to check if there is swelling in your aorta (main blood vessels from heart to abdomen) Offered to men aged over 64

HOW:
- using an ultrasounds scan of the abdomen, taking 10-15 minutes
- a probe is placed on stomach so the insides are shown on screen
- medical professional will check for swelling of the aorta
- results are given at the end of the scan.
- if an aneurysm is found, they will need routine checks depending on the size to see about possible treatments and monitor the size getting bigger.