Screening saves lives

The number of women attending cervical screening in the UK is falling, with more than one in four women not attending when invited to a potentially life-saving test.

Every year in the UK, around 3,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under.

• Two women lose their lives to the disease every day
• Nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day
• 75% of cervical cancers can be prevented by cervical screening

In March 2019, Public Health England is launching its first national cervical screening campaign with the aim of encouraging women of all ages to respond to their screening (smear test) invitation.

Professor Anne Mackie, PHE director of screening said: ‘It’s a real concern that fewer women, particularly younger women, are taking screening up. We know that for some women worries about embarrassment or discomfort can put them off taking the test. We hope the campaign will make it clearer to them what the test involves so they can decide if it’s right for them.’

What is cervical screening?

Cervical screening (a smear test) is a test which helps prevent cervical cancer. It identifies people who have a higher risk of developing it, so they can get the care they need. The test is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix. A sample of cells is taken from your cervix and tested for abnormalities. These changes can then be monitored or treated to prevent cervical cancer developing.

Why should women go for a test?

• Cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer. It saves as many as 5,000 lives from cervical cancer each year in the UK.
• A cervical screening (smear test) lasts just five minutes.
• Being screened regularly means any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix can be identified at an early stage and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing.
• The impact of cervical cancer lasts a lifetime.

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Additional support

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