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| Sunday, 30 October 2005 09:52 | | BNN: British Nursing News Online · www.bnn-online.co.uk
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Maja Kecman, an arts graduate has designed an ‘Insight’ kit a specially developed home smear test which would allow women to do their own checks. As each year, hundred of thousands of women eligible for a smear test miss their screening appointment.
Medics have given the test a cautious response, but say they would be delighted if it proved to be an effective alternative to the current testing system.
Maja interviewed nearly 200 women to ask them about their smears, and whether they would use a home kit. She also had a focus group that she asked more in-depth questions.
"I asked them why they did not like to attend and what it was about the smear that they found so uncomfortable and what they disliked. I tried to gauge whether they might like to do it themselves".
She said that 70% of those she quizzed said they would definitely do a home smear, and that gave her the confidence to go ahead and redesign the equipment.
"I spoke to doctors and nurses and looked at medical training videos to find out the exact requirements and I came up with a tight brief.
"You need to get the right cells at the right part of the cervix".
The design she came up with has a light and mirror to enable the user to ensure they get the precise spot when taking the cell sample.
"It also involves instructions for the patient for use and lots of photos to show them what the cervix looks like.
"Once you know what it looks like it is easy to locate".
Maja said she is currently patenting her design and that several manufacturers had expressed an interest in producing it.
Dr Martin Young, a consultant at the Royal Free Hospital, near London, who Maja contacted as part of her research, said: "I think it looks very impressive. It has been beautifully designed and put together, but how useful it is going to be in clinical practise remains to be seen.
"I feel that cervical smears are best done by professionals".
Julietta Patnick, national officer for the NHS Cancer Screening Programme, said she was interested in seeing and trialling devices like this if they increase uptake. "We would have to try it. It would have to go into a trial if we thought it was a runner.
"We are always looking into new ideas. We would be interested in anything that would improve things”.
She said that she had not seen Maja's device, but said it was pertinent that cells are taken from a precise location in the cervix. She said that if this was not the case that the cell samples were worthless.
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