Two people die every day from cervical cancer in England, yet it is one of the most preventable cancers and getting your screening can help stop it before it starts.
Screening helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for a virus called high-risk HPV which causes nearly all cervical cancers. This 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. Any cervical cell changes can be treated, preventing cervical cancer.
If you have a cervix and have had any kind of sexual contact, with people of any gender, you are at risk of cervical cancer.
You can have HPV even if you’ve only ever had one partner, or not had sex for a long time.
But don’t be alarmed if you have HPV as it does not mean you have cervical cancer – HPV is a common virus that most people will get at some point during their lives.
People with a cervix aged 25-64 are eligible for screening. Those registered as female with their GP practice are invited for routine screening every three years if they are aged 25-49 and every five years if they are aged 50-64. Those registered as male will need to request an appointment from their GP or a local sexual health clinic.
Life can be hectic and it’s easy to let your cervical screening appointment fall to the bottom of your ‘to do’ list, but it only lasts a few minutes – it’s a few minutes that could save your life.
For most people, cervical screening tests are not painful. However, if you are worried that you may find the test uncomfortable, remember you are in control and can ask to stop at any time. If you are worried about it being uncomfortable, or you have found screening difficult in the past, talk to the nurse or doctor doing the test so they can give you the right support.
If you’re embarrassed about cervical screening then you’re not alone. Talk to the nurse or doctor doing the test, who can help put you at ease.