NHS says public can help eliminate cervical cancer

During Cervical Screening Awareness Week the NHS in the South West has been reminding people how they can help eliminate cervical cancer by attending their cervical screening and getting the HPV vaccine when invited.

Cervical screening - previously known as a smear test -  can help to prevent cervical cancer by checking for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause changes to the cells of the cervix. If changes are found, they can be monitored or treated before cancer develops.

Dr Matthew Dominey, Consultant in Public Health and Screening and Immunisation Lead for NHS England South West, said: “Cervical Screening Awareness Week is an important reminder that cervical screening saves lives. 

"If you are invited, please book your appointment as soon as you can and if you have missed a previous invite, you can still contact your GP practice to arrange screening.

“We know some people may feel worried, embarrassed or unsure about attending their cervical screening, but NHS staff are there to support you, answer questions and help make the appointment as comfortable as possible.

“Together with HPV vaccination, cervical screening is helping us move closer to our goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040.”

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by high-risk types of HPV and vaccination is already helping to reduce the number of infections and the risk of developing cervical cancer. 

New research supported by Cancer Research UKsuggests the HPV vaccine is effective at eliminating the risk of death from cervical cancer in those under the age of 30.

HPV vaccination is offered to boys and girls from year 8 in school, with 78% of girls and 73.8% of boys in the South West vaccinated by year 10 in the 2024/25 academic year.

Beth Smout, Regional Deputy Director of Health Protection for the South West, said: The HPV vaccine is one of the most effective cancer-preventing vaccines available. 

"Just a single dose, given in school, protects against cervical cancer and several other cancers caused by HPV that affect both boys and girls, helping to save thousands of lives each year.

"While HPV uptake has remained stable, vaccination rates are still well below pre-pandemic levels and around one in four young people in the South West are still leaving school unprotected against these cancers.

"If you or your child has missed the HPV vaccine at school, please don't wait, there is still time to catch up for free through your GP surgery until your 25th birthday."

Even if someone has had the HPV vaccine, they should still attend cervical screening when invited, as the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV.

The NHS in the South West is committed to the national strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, and has outlined three goals to achieve over the next 4 years:

- Increase HPV vaccination rates to at least 90% for boys and girls.
- Ensure at least 70% of women are screened by the age of 35 and, again, by the age of 45.
- Ensure at least 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease receive treatment.

Cervical screening is also open to anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 64. Those who are eligible will be sent an invite via the NHS App, as well as via text or letter when required. 

However, the offer for cervical screening remains open even if the invite was missed and appointments can be made through your GP practice.

Anyone who feels unsure about attending can read the NHS England South West guide to what to expect at cervical screening.

HPV vaccinations are available to boys and girls in year 8 at school (aged 12 to 13 years old) and the vaccinations are also available through GPs to girls under the age of 25, and boys who were born after 1 September 2006, who missed the opportunity to be vaccinated at school.

Even if you are not eligible for HPV vaccination or cervical screening, you can still help eliminate cervical cancer by talking about vaccination and screening with your loved ones. 

Find out more about cervical cancer, cervical screening and HPV vaccination on the NHS website.