Cervical screening saves thousands of lives in the UK each year.
The NHS routinely invites all women between 25 and 64 for a screening to help stop cervical cancer before it develops.
But despite this, the number of people coming forward for their screening has been steadily declining over the years.
In 2022, 28 per cent of people in Kent and 29 per cent in Medway did not attend their cervical screening, with Canterbury and Gravesend seeing the lowest uptake.
During Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23 to 29 January), NHS Kent and Medway is encouraging those eligible to go for their screening when invited.
‘We need to do better’
A GP surgery in Thanet is welcoming its patients on the weekend to increase the uptake of screening for cervical cancer.
The Grange Practice in Ramsgate is offering appointments on a Saturday to encourage patients to come forward for their screening, or to discuss their fears.
Health professionals hope by opening the surgery out-of-hours, they can encourage more people to come forward for life-saving checks.
“We recognised some patients did not want to take time off work to attend their routine screening test," said Julie Hill, non-clinical partner and practice manager.
“We already offered some evening appointments, and these are always filled, suggesting a weekend service would be of interest.
“As a practice, we have regularly achieved above 80 per cent uptake but we felt we needed to do even better than that.”
The surgery has also been working with people with learning difficulties and those who have anxiety around cervical screening to help break down barriers.
Julie added: “We had two patients come forward and both had real significant personal reasons as to why they hadn’t had their screening. With some coaching and support, both patients have now had their smears taken.”
Since the scheme launched in August, more than 30 people have attended the weekend clinic, which is held once a month.
The practice, which also welcomes patients with concerns about bowel, breast, prostate, and testicular cancer, plans to run the scheme for another year.
Cervical screening saves lives
A mum who is due to undergo a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with cervical cancer is urging others to attend their screening.
Emma Simpson, 41, was diagnosed with cervical cancer shortly after the birth of her son, now aged five.
In 2016, the mum-of-one went for a routine screening, which revealed abnormal cells in her cervix. 
She had to wait until six weeks after the birth of her son to have a procedure to remove part of her cervix.
The mum-of-one said: “I went for a smear in 2016 and they found something, but they
couldn’t remove it because I was pregnant.
“They did standard tests, and it was indeed cancer.
“They have offered to take more of my cervix away because of constant abnormalities
but I’ve made the decision to have a hysterectomy. It’s a very hard decision to make."
Emma, who lives in Rochester, regularly went for a cervical screening, but admits missing one or two over the years.
“I regularly went for the cervical screening; the Jade Goody story scared me.” she added.
“It’s so important to go for your smear, even missing one could be crucial. You should always go when you are invited.
“The test takes 30 seconds, try not to think about it, just think it could save your life.
“If I went for a screening sooner, there is a very good chance the upcoming operation could have been prevented.”
NHS England’s Dr Faiza Khan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Screening and Immunisation Lead for Kent and Medway, said: “The NHS routinely invites women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 for cervical screening.
“If you test positive for HPV, it doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer or will develop cervical cancer, but it allows cell changes to be easily treated and this prevents cervical cancer from developing.
"HPV is a common virus most people will have at some point in their life, without even knowing.
“HPV is nothing to be embarrassed about and does not mean any partner has been unfaithful. In many cases, your immune system will naturally get rid of HPV.
“If you have received an invitation for a cervical screen, please don’t wait; phone your GP practice to book an appointment as soon as possible.’’
About screening
In England, cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 49 every three years.
For people aged from 50 to 64, screening is offered every
five years.
Cervical screening primarily checks for the presence of high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus most people will get at some point.
For people with high-risk HPV, the risk of getting cervical cancer is low; finding high-risk HPV early means you can be monitored for abnormal cell changes.
Finding it early means abnormal cell changes can be treated; they do not have a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer tends to develop slowly, but attending your cervical screen is one of the best ways to protect yourself.
About cervical cancer
In England, two women die from cervical cancer every day.
It is the second most common cancer in women aged under 35.
The NHS offers the HPV vaccination to girls and boys aged 12 and 13 at school in Year 8.
Even if you've been vaccinated it's important you attend your cervical screening appointment when invited because the HPV vaccine doesn't protect against all strains of HPV.
The HPV vaccination, cervical screening and treatment for cell changes can all help prevent cervical cancer.
Find out more about Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance.
Find more information about NHS Cervical Screening.