Many women feel worried about attending cervical screening. In fact, survey data revealed that 1 in 5 women have delayed cervical screening due to feeling anxious about the procedure. Additionally, 20% of parents have delayed cervical screening due to anxiety about the process.

So, where do these anxious feelings stem from? 1 in 4 women are concerned with pain during the procedure and 21% think feeling self-conscious about their body is the most stressful aspect of a cervical screening test.

Breathing techniques

 
Breathing techniques are a great way to reduce anxious feelings before a cervical screening test. We have collaborated with Briony Gunson, a breathwork facilitator and mindset coach, to produce a short breathwork exercise to help those feeling anxious about their cervical screening test. 

Methodology 

LloydsPharmacy Online Doctors surveyed 1,596 women to identify their understanding of Cervical Screening, HPV and their thoughts towards the screening test