Cervical Screening Saves Lives

Cervical Screening Saves Lives

A new national campaign 'Cervical Screening Saves Lives' aims to raise awareness about the importance of cervical screening which can stop cancer before it starts.

The Public Health England campaign encourages all women to respond to their cervical screening invitation letters, and if they missed previous invites, to book an appointment at their GP practice. 

Cervical screening, also known as a smear test, prevents up to 75% of cervical cancers from developing, and is estimated to save around 5,000 lives each year.

Screening is however at a 20 year low and one in four women do not attend when invited for this potentially life-saving appointment. Sadly, every day in England two women lose their lives to cervical cancer. 

Everyone with a cervix, which is most women and many trans people, between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited to attend cervical screening every three or five years depending on their age. The screening test only lasts a few minutes and it could save your life.

For more information, visit the NHS website