Cervical Screening – Don’t ignore your invites

Cervical screening saves approximately 5,000 lives a year in the UK.
Cervical screening isn’t just a test – it’s your early warning system that can detect problems before they develop into cancer. Every year, thousands of women’s lives are saved because they took this simple step to protect themselves.
High-risk HPV testing in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme is a more sensitive and accurate test than the one previously used (which solely looked for cervical cell changes).
Cervical screening is the best way to find out who is at higher risk of developing the cervical cell changes that over time could potentially lead to cervical cancer.
Worried about your cervical screening? You’re not alone. You can ask for a female doctor or nurse, bring someone with you for support, or talk through your concerns with the screening team beforehand. Your comfort matters to us.
Your cervical screening appointment typically takes around 10 minutes and could save your life. It might feel a bit awkward, but health professionals do thousands of these tests every day – they’re quick, they’re trained to make you comfortable, and you’re always in control. Book your appointment today – evening and weekend slots are available.
Don’t put it off – book your cervical screening today. One quick appointment could save your life. It’s not too late, even if you were invited weeks, months or years ago. Contact your GP surgery to book an appointment with them. In some parts of England, you may be able to go to a local sexual health clinic or walk-in centre instead.

And it’s always important you attend your cervical screening appointment, even if you have been vaccinated.

Cervical cancer leads to approximately 685 deaths a year in England and most cervical cancer cases (over 99%) are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus.
By increasing equitable uptake of both HPV vaccination, which protects against most forms of the virus, and cervical screening, which checks for high-risk HPV, we can prevent cervical cancer and make it a disease of the past On 15 November 2023,NHS England outlined its ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, aligning with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global initiative.
Eliminating cervical cancer in England is not only an important public health goal but also a crucial step toward improving women’s overall health and wellbeing.