Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Saves Lives campaign

The Department of Health and Social Care, with the support of the NHS, has launched a major new national campaign to increase the number of those eligible attending their cervical screening in England.

The new Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Saves Lives campaign urges women and those who may be eligible not to ignore their cervical screening invite, and if they missed their last one, to book an appointment with their GP practice or sexual health clinic now.

Latest figures from March 2021 show that nearly a third (30%) of eligible individuals – women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 – were not screened.

Around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and approximately 690 women die from the disease – around 2 deaths every day. Previous estimates suggest screening prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths, but 83% of deaths could be prevented if everyone attended regularly.

The full findings from the new survey reveal:

• when asked about what their experience was like at their most recent test, over 3 in 5 (63%) said they were nervous and more than 2 out of 5 (43%) said they were embarrassed
• the majority of women and people with a cervix (81%) said the nurse or doctor put them at ease during a cervical screening
• positively, over half of respondents (58%) were surprised about how quick the test was, and 89% would encourage others who are worried to go for a test

GP Dr Zoe Williams, who features in the campaign, said:

“The symptoms of cervical cancer are not always obvious, and there may not be any symptoms at all until the cancer has reached an advanced stage.

That’s why it’s important that you attend all your cervical screening appointments.  Screening can stop cancer before it starts and saves thousands of lives every year.

If you missed your last cervical screening, book an appointment with your GP practice or sexual health clinic now.”