Cervical screening saves thousands of lives every year, yet almost one in three people across the UK don’t take up their invite.
This year, Cervical Screening Awareness Week runs from Monday, 20 to Sunday, 26 June.
We’ve joined Jo’s Trust - the UK's leading cervical cancer charity - to encourage all women and people with a cervix to come forward for their screening when invited.
NHS England and NHS Improvement's Dr Faiza Khan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Screening and Immunisation Lead for Kent and Medway, said:
“Cervical screening is a way of preventing cancer, but we know that the test isn’t always easy and that people’s circumstances are different when accessing screening services.
“If you are affected by anxiety or find screening difficult, you should speak to a health professional beforehand to discuss your concerns and they will be able to make arrangements to support you.
“If you have received an invitation for a cervical screen, please don’t wait; call your GP practice to book an appointment as soon as possible.’’
Preparing for your appointment:
- Plan your journey.
- Bring something that is comforting or helps you relax, for example, a music player or magazine.
- Wear a skirt or dress as you can keep these on during the test.
- Make plans for after your appointment, for example treating yourself to something nice and relaxing.
- Speak to the health professional beforehand to discuss concerns if you think the test may be uncomfortable
- Ask someone you trust to go with you, such as a friend, relative or mental health worker, who can also be with you after your appointment.
About screening
Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.
It primarily checks for the presence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus most people will get at some point.
While, for most people with high-risk HPV, the risk of getting cervical cancer is low, finding it early means abnormal cell changes can be monitored and treated, so they do not have a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
In England, cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix between the ages of 24 and 49 every three years.
For those between the ages of 50 and 64, screening is offered every five years.
Find information about how to plan your cervical screening appointment here.