Preparing for your smear test as a survivor of sexual violence

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is one of the deadliest but most preventable types of cancer for women. The NHS cervical screening programme - which can detect abnormal, pre-cancerous cells - saves around 5,000 lives every year. But knowing all this doesn't make the experience of going for your smear test any less traumatic or distressing for women like Sam.

In the UK, one in five women aged 16-59 have experienced some form of sexual violence - and many of these women avoid going for their smear test as a result. A report published by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust reveals that almost half of the survivors they surveyed had chosen not to attend cervical screening because of their history. Another quarter had put off their smear for the same reason - and that reason goes far beyond embarrassment or stupidity.

If you're a survivor of sexual violence, the cervical screening procedure is understandably reminiscent of your past trauma: the position and penetration; the exposure and vulnerability; the lack of control; and often even the language used, like "open your legs", or "it'll be quicker if you relax". But, despite the difficulties, remember that you are just as worthy of good, preventative healthcare as anybody else.

While going for a smear will probably never be a pleasant experience, there are things that both you and your healthcare professionals can do to make the screening process as painless and stress-free as humanly possible.

1. Think about what triggers you

"Everyone is different, but it might be worth taking some time before the test to consider what about it you might find most difficult or triggering, and how you might address that," suggests Katie Russell, from Rape Crisis England & Wales.

"If there are particular words or positions you find tend to trigger memories or flashbacks of your abuse, you could ask the test taker to avoid them or find alternatives," she adds.

Likewise, it might also be helpful to think about why you want to go for your smear test in the first place, suggests Pavan Amara, founder of the My Body Back Project (MBB), which operates sexual health clinics in London and Glasgow for survivors of sexual violence.

"Is it because you're worried you've got cervical cancer, or because someone in your family has been affected? Is it because you feel forced, or ashamed of not doing it? Is it because you want to look after your body and health?" she says.

"You have to weigh up the risks to yourself in terms of how much it's going to re-traumatise you. Then, if you know that you want to do it but you're very anxious, you can focus on the anxiety. That in itself gives you confidence and allows you to feel like you're in control," Amara adds.

2. Remember there's no obligation to disclose

Whether or not you choose to disclose your history is entirely up to you. Some women prefer not to, while others find it helps their GP or nurse to be more understanding about the difficulties they're facing.

"If you do want to disclose, it might help if you're able to take someone with you [to explain on your behalf], or write it on a piece of paper and hand that over to your smear taker," suggests Kate Sanger from Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.

3. Make yourself comfortable

Simple things like booking a double appointment, or being accompanied by someone you trust, can also make a big difference in terms of making you feel safe, grounded, and not rushed, Russell suggests. Mindfulness, breathing exercises, and visualisations might also help to reduce anxiety, and Amara suggests thinking about ways to make yourself feel better using all five of your senses.

"Is there a particular colour you like that you could incorporate into what you're wearing that day? Would looking at a friend or family member's face help? We've had women bring childhood teddy bears into clinic, and that's been really comforting," she says.

"With sound, a lot of women bring iPhones with music on, or radios; we've even had women who've actually used a mindfulness app while they were having their screening, and concentrating on that worked really well for them," Amara adds.

"For taste, do you want a small square of chocolate in your mouth while you're having the screening? Just go through those five senses and do everything possible to connect your body to the message that you're in a safe place."

4. Be informed

Arming yourself with knowledge before the test can also help you feel less anxious and more in control.

"For some women, it's the invasive, physical side of the test, and the vulnerability of having to be exposed, that's really difficult, so being really informed about the test can help," Sanger says. "Knowing exactly what's going to happen, asking as many questions about what the equipment is, where it's going to go, what happens next," she suggests.

You could even ask your smear taker to talk you through it, step by step, and to make sure you're happy to proceed at each stage. And remember, Sanger adds, "it's your test and you can say 'stop' whenever you want."

5. Give yourself time

Finally, think about what you'll do after the appointment. As important as it is to give yourself plenty of time and not feel rushed during the screening, it's also worth considering how you might feel afterwards.

"If you possibly can, I would take the whole day off, and book the appointment as early as possible. Make sure you've got enough time to get there comfortably without rushing, but not enough time to really get nervous," Amara recommends.

"There's quite often an emotional reaction afterwards, which is normal - sometimes women just feel really proud of themselves and that can be overwhelming," she adds. "If possible, take the entire day off and don't necessarily plan anything - keep it quite open. Maybe plan to meet a friend, but don't plan to do anything specific, because you may not feel like it when the time comes. Don't put any extra pressure on yourself."

For more information on preparing for your cervical screening test as a survivor of sexual violence, check out the new resources from Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, in partnership with Rape Crisis England & Wales.