Cervical Screen Test

Cervical screening is a method of preventing cervical cancer by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix (lower part of the womb).

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, but it is a test to check the health of the cervix. Most women’s test results show that everything is normal. But for one in 20 women, the test will show some changes in the cells of the cervix.

Most of these changes will not lead to cervical cancer and the cells will go back to normal on their own. In some cases, the abnormal cells need to be treated to prevent them becoming a problem later.

Useful Links

NHS Choices – Cervical Screen Test

HPV Vaccination

Since September 2008 there has been a national programme to vaccinate girls aged 12-13 against human papilloma virus (HPV).

There is also a three-year catch up campaign that will offer the HPV vaccine (also known as the cervical cancer jab) to 13-18 year old girls.

The programme is delivered largely through secondary schools, and consists of three injections that are given over a six-month period. In the UK, more than 1.4 million doses have been given since the vaccination programme started.

Human papilloma virus (HPV)

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name of a family of viruses that affect the skin and the moist membranes that line your body, such as those in your cervix, anus, mouth and throat. These membranes are called the mucosa.

There are more than 100 different types of HPV viruses, with about 40 types affecting the genital area. These are classed as high risk and low risk.

What HPV infection can do

Infection with some types of HPV can cause abnormal tissue growth and other changes to cells, which can lead to cervical cancer. Infection with other forms of HPV can also cause genital warts.

Other types of HPV infection can cause minor problems, such as common skin warts and verrucas.

Around 30 types of HPV are transmitted through sexual contact, including those that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK.

HPV infection is also linked to vaginal cancer and vulval cancer, although both are rare conditions.

Useful Links

NHS choices – HPV Vaccination

Cancer Research UK – HPV Virus

Breast Screening

The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites women aged 50 to 70 for screening every three years. Women aged 71 and over are encouraged to attend through self referral to their local screening centre. The programme aims to detect and treat breast cancer early.

Useful Links

NHS choices – Breast Screening

Bowel cancer is Scotland’s third most common cancer, with almost 4,000 people diagnosed every year.  However, bowel screening is the most effective way to find bowel cancer early, when it is most treatable and we encourage everyone who receives a kit to send their sample in as requested.

Everyone in Scotland between 50 and 74 will automatically be sent a bowel cancer home screening test every 2 years. If you are over 75 you can still take a bowel screening test every 2 years if you want to.

If you have not received a kit in the last 2 years, or have misplaced it, you can order one via the Scottish Bowel Screening Helpline on 0800 0121 833.

Useful Link

Bowel Screening

If a vaccine is given when a baby still has antibodies to the disease, the antibodies can stop the vaccine working. This is why routine childhood immunisations do not start until a baby is two months old, before the antibodies a baby gets from its mother have stopped working. This is also why it is important for parents to stick to the immunisation schedule, as a delay can leave a baby unprotected. A delay can increase the chance of adverse reactions to some vaccines, such as pertussis (whooping cough).

Vaccination Schedule

At two months old:

* Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection

* Pneumococcal infection – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – one injection

At three months old:

* Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection

* Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) – one injection

At four months old:

* Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection

* Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) – one injection

* Pneumococcal infection – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – one injection

At around 12 months old:

* Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis C (Hib/MenC) – booster dose in one injection

At around 13 months old:

* Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) – one injection

* Pneumococcal infection – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – one injection

Three years four months to five years old (pre-school):

* Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio (dTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV) – one injection

* Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) – one injection

13 to 18 years old:

* Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (Td/IPV) – one injection

Further reading

There are some excellent websites that will answer all your questions and queries about immunisation and vaccination. If you are worried about giving the MMR vaccine, you should access the MMR site.

www.immunisation.nhs.uk The most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK.

www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/MMR This website has been put together to answer any questions you might have about MMR. You can look for information and resources in the MMR library, ask an expert panel a question, and read up on the latest news stories relating to MMR.

Both men and women need to look after their sexual health and take time to understand the issues that surround contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For instance there are some STIs, like chlamydia, that you could be carrying without having any symptoms. This infection can affect fertility, so it’s important to make use of the sexual health services available for free on the NHS.

Useful Links

Sex and Young People

STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections)

Sexual Health FAQs

Netdoctor – Sex & Relationships

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, most commonly spread through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex.

75% of people infected with chlamydia don’t have any symptoms. However, testing and treatment are simple.

Useful Links

The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (under-25s) has more information on chlamydia.

NHS Choices – Focus on Chlamydia

Most forms of contraception are available within the medical centre, please make an appointment to come in an discuss further.

Contraception is free for most people in the UK. With 15 methods to choose from, you’ll find one that suits you.

Contraceptive methods allow you to choose when and if you want to have a baby, but they don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Condoms help to protect against STIs and pregnancy, so whatever other method of contraception you’re using to prevent pregnancy, use condoms as well to protect your and your partner’s health.

Stop Smoking

Useful Links

SmokeFree

NHS Free Smoking Helpline 0800 022 4 332

7 days a week, 7am to 11pm. Here to help you!

The NHS have produced “Smokefree”, a dedicated service to inform everyone of the dangers of smoking, the benefits to giving up and how they can help you kick the habit.

QUIT

QUIT is the independent charity whose aim is to save lives by helping smokers to stop. Smokers wanting to QUIT should call 0800 00 22 00 or email stopsmoking@quit.org.uk for free, individual, same-day advice from our trained counsellors.

NHS Choices – Stop Smoking

NHS Stop Smoking Tracker

This desktop application will help you to stop smoking successfully by providing a 30-day course of daily messages, information and tips straight to your computer.

Eating Well & Exercise

You don’t have to spend lots of money to eat well. Watch this video to see dietitian Azmina Govindji explain how you can eat healthily for less.

Useful Links

NHS – Good Food Guide

Information on a healthy diet and ways to make it work for you.

BBC Healthy Living – Nutrition

A good diet is central to overall good health, but which are the best foods to include in your meals, and which ones are best avoided? This section looks at the facts, to help you make realistic, informed choices.

Change for life

These days, ‘modern life’ can mean that we’re a lot less active. With so many opportunities to watch TV or play computer games, and with so much convenience and fast food available, we don’t move about as much, or eat as well as we used to. Which means that 9 out of 10 kids today could grow up with dangerous amounts of fat in their bodies. This can cause life-threatening diseases like cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease – so it’s really important that we do something about it.

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