Autistic Women Face Smear Test Pain & Anxiety

Autistic women frequently experience distress, pain, and anxiety during cervical screening, with some avoiding the essential procedure due to these challenges. Research funded by Cancer Research Wales is now assessing how to eliminate these barriers.

Dr. Aimee Grant from Swansea University notes that evidence suggests fewer autistic women undergo smear tests or receive the HPV vaccine. She explains that autistic individuals may struggle to articulate pain, leading health professionals to overlook their distress, resulting in poorer health outcomes.

Personal accounts from autistic women underscore these difficulties. Willow Holloway shared her overdue smear due to anxiety stemming from past experiences where her significant pain was dismissed as mere discomfort. Dee Dickens, who has autism and ADHD, felt violated during previous tests due to a lack of communication, emphasizing the importance of autonomy.

Research is actively involving Cervical Screening Wales, as NHS staff are eager to improve care for neurodivergent patients. Simple adjustments, such as clear language and agreed-upon stop signals, are anticipated to make a substantial difference. The development of dedicated hubs for autistic and neurodivergent people is also proposed.

While take-up of cervical screening in Wales is around 69%, it is estimated to be closer to 50% among autistic women. Addressing these inequalities is crucial to prevent potentially treatable pre-malignant conditions or early cancers from going undetected, ultimately aiming to close this health gap.