17 – 23 June is Cervical Screening Awareness Week, raising the profile of the important role of cervical screening in early diagnosis, treatment and improved patient outcomes.
According to Macmillan nearly 1 in 3 women don’t attend their cervical screening test.
Cervical screening is a way of preventing cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix). It uses tests to find abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. The first part of cervical screening is to have a smear test. This is also called the cervical screening test.
The NHS will contact you when it is time for your cervical screening if you are:
- 25 to 64 years old
- registered as female with a GP.
You do not need screening if you have had surgery to remove your cervix. If you have had surgery to the cervix, vagina or womb but you are not sure what your operation involved, your GP can find out from your medical records.
If you are not sure about having cervical screening for any reason, talk to your GP, practice nurse or sexual health service.
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