Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

Cervical cancer claims the lives of 700 women annually in the UK, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

Cervical screening can detect the viruses that cause cervical cancer, and the NHS screening programme in England saves 5,000 lives each year.

The HPV vaccine also plays a crucial role in the fight against cervical cancer, offering significant protection against these harmful viruses.

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, led by the charity Jo’s Trust and running until 28 January, aims to raise awareness of cervical screening and the HPV vaccine.

Anyone eligible for cervical screening is strongly encouraged to attend their potentially life-saving appointment.

The screening involves taking a small sample of cells from the cervix to check for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) that could lead to cervical cancer if untreated. People aged 25 to 64 who are eligible are invited every three to five years, or more frequently if HPV or abnormal cells are found.

Currently, a third of those invited for screening do not attend. If you’ve received an invitation but haven’t yet booked an appointment, contact your GP now.

For more information on cervical screening, visit the NHS website.

To learn more about Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, visit the Cancer Research UK website.