[Fran]

Hi everyone! Join us on the 26th January at 12pm where we will be hosting our January power hour and answering all of your questions on how to create a supportive workplace for cervical screening and awareness of cervical and reproductive health. I will be on hand to answer your questions and raise awareness around cervical screening and how you can support your employees and colleagues.

Its easy to join in on our power hours, all you need to do is log into this page and click on this thread. Once we are live, you can post questions to us during the hour.
Hope to see you all next week!

Fran

[Fran]

Hi everyone,

Just a reminder about today’s power hour that will go live at midday. Please send your questions in so that we can help support you, your colleagues and your organisation.

Speak soon!

Fran

[Fran]

Hi everyone, we are now live for today’s power hour! Please submit your questions all about cervical health and screening at work.

This is your opportunity to gain information and advice on how to support your colleagues, employees and teams when it comes to raising awareness around cervical screening and health.

Fran

[Fran]

We have our first question that has been pre-submitted for todays session.

What is cervical screening actually looking for — cancer or something else?

[Fran]

Good question – cervical screening (previously known as a cervical smear) is a test that is looking for the presence of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) in the cervix. if HPV is present, then the sample will be sent for further testing to look for abnormal cell changes that may develop into cancerous cells if they are left untreated for a long time. So essentially, cervical screening is a preventative test.

[Alessia]

Hi Fran,

Can previous cervical treatments (e.g LLETZ or cone biopsy) affect fertility?

[Fran]

Hi Alessia, although its a very small chance – procedures to the cervix such as LLetz or cone biopsy (which are usually performed to remove cells or an area from the cervix) could potentially affect fertility. It doesn’t impact ovaries or the womb or the ability to ovulate – but it may impact the cervix itself and make it more difficult for the sperm to swim through the cervix in order to fertilise an egg – this is usually if the cervix has become narrow due to the treatment.

[Fran]

Also with regards to pregnancy – you may need monitoring as procedures such as this can make the cervix weaker which means you may be at risk of miscarriage or pre-term labour. This is a very small risk though and your midwife and team will ensure that you are supported.

[Ben]

Hi Fran, thank you so much for explaining, that’s really reassuring to hear.

I had a LLETZ procedure about two years ago after an abnormal smear, and everything’s been fine since, but my partner and I are starting to think about trying for a baby later this year so it’s been playing on my mind a bit. I don’t have any symptoms, but I wasn’t sure if there’s a way to know whether the cervix has become narrow or weaker after treatment.

Is this something that would usually be picked up on routine checks, or only once you’re pregnant/trying to conceive? And is there anything you’d recommend doing beforehand to make sure everything is okay?

Thanks again for your help 🙂

[Tasha]

Hi Fran,

I was wondering if a cervical screening will affect my fertility or future pregnancy?

[Fran]

Hi Tasha, This is a short answer – screening cannot affect or impact fertility or pregnancy. Its a simple test that takes a sample of cells from the surface of your cervix which are then analysed. Its very straight forward and although may be a little uncomfortable at the time – shouldn’t be painful.

[Tasha]

Thank you Fran, that puts me a lot more at ease.

[Fran]

Another question that has been submitted.

Should cervical screening be treated the same way as other health appointments? Do we need to allow for employees to have time off?

[Fran]

There is no legal requirement to allow for time of for cervical screening appointments. But, these appointments need to take place at certain times of a woman’s menstrual cycle and are often carried out at the GP’s surgery where people often have no control over the timing of the appointment. To be an inclusive and supportive employer, its a good idea to allow for flexibility for these types of appointments – especially as they are seen as raising awareness and prevention. Employees would also appreciate working for employers who supported women’s health this way.

[Fran]

Another submitted question:

Does our women’s health policy need to include cervical screening?

[Fran]

This is a great question. I think its incredibly difficult to try and list every condition, appointment, concern that affect women or those with female reproductive organs into an HR policy. What I would say, is that your policy doesn’t need to be too descriptive – but it needs to be flexible so that it can allow for appointments such as cervical screening and its supportive.

[Tasha]

I was also wondering, how do I bring up that I have a screening appointment to my male employer, it feels like an awkward conversation and one they may not see as important?

[Fran]

They may not know how important it is, so it could be an opportunity to also educate them and the organisation on the importance of cervical screening. you may be embarrassed but it might be something that they are already aware of and if not, then you could be helping lots of other women in the organisation too. I would suggest taking some information into the discussion so that it will help them to understand the importance.

[Fran]

The following may be helpful when looking at how you can raise awareness around cervical screening in the workplace. Last week was cervical cancer prevention week and the Eve appeal have some great resources on providing support and raising awareness.

https://eveappeal.org.uk/campaigns/cervical-cancer-prevention-week/

[Fran]

How often do people need to attend for cervical screening?

[Fran]

Another great question!
Routine cervical screening takes place every 5 years if people have had normal results previously. In the UK, screening every 5 years takes place between the ages of 25 and 64.
So if all is okay – its not an appointment that needs to be attended often and can easily fit into a flexible working plan

[Fran]

That’s all we have time for today! Thank you to everyone who has submitted questions and attended todays session. Please look out for our next sessions that will take place throughout the year.

Thanks all!

Fran

[Author]

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