Cervical Screening Awareness Month reminder for Auckland women
31 August 2009

Ruth Davy, CEO of WONS Nursing Education and Health Promotion Services is encouraging Auckland women to use September – Cervical Screening Awareness Month – as a prompt to think about when they last had a cervical smear.

“Many women will get a reminder from their smear taker when they are due for a smear.

“But Cervical Screening Awareness Month is a good time to have a think about when you had your last smear, and whether you are due for another one. If you are – don't put it off any longer!

“It only takes a few minutes to have a cervical smear, but it could save your life. Regular cervical smear tests every three years are recommended for women from the age of 20 until they turn 70 if they have ever been sexually active.”

Avondale’s Ruth Su'a endorses the call to have regular cervical smears.

Ruth hadn't had a cervical smear test for over 10 years, when a series of unexpected events in her life led her to the cervical screening clinic.

In 2006, Ruth’s husband Sam passed away from cancer at the age of just 42.

“It seemed to come out of nowhere and it was a bit of a wake-up call. I experienced the suffering that cancer causes first hand – but even that wasn't enough to make me go for a smear.

“I just told myself that having a smear wasn't a big thing as there’s no history of cancer in my family, and the embarrassment of having it done really put me off.”

It was only later, when Ruth started a new relationship, that she finally decided to book herself in for a smear test.

“I booked in for a number of tests and cervical screening was part of the checklist. That’s the only reason I went through with it – for the sake of my relationship rather than any real concern about my health.”

Ruth had the smear test and was surprised at how easy and painless it was. She was informed a few days later that her test was all clear.

“It’s such a simple thing to do and I'll definitely keep going back every three years. It’s a lot easier to get the check done than to go through the pain and trauma of trying to get rid of cancer when it’s already too late.”

Reflecting on the events of the past few years, Ruth is keen to encourage as many Kiwi women as possible to get regular cervical smears.

“I have two daughters who are 23 and 15 years old. I'm very open with them about the fact that women over 20 need to have smear tests regularly. I just think all women in New Zealand need to be aware that such an easy, harmless test could really make the difference between life and death.”

Ruth Davy of WONS says women unsure of when they are due for a smear, or who want to become part of the National Cervical Screening Programme, can ring the freephone number – 0800 729 729.

“Having regular cervical smears can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by 90 percent. Cervical smears work by detecting changes to cells in the cervix that, if left untreated, could become cancer.”

ENDS