Smear tests don’t have to be scary as C, who’s neurodivergent, shared with me: “They talked me through it, it was painless for me when it’s hurt previously. The nurse held my hand because she could tell I was anxious and pulled my mask down as she could see I was struggling and I’d already said I might need to pull it down take it off at some point because they make me feel claustrophobic and are a sensory nightmare for me which gets worse when I’m anxious.”
What a compassionate and kind nurse, I know there are plenty of them out there too.