Women urged to attend cervical screening

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and health chiefs are urging women to attend life-saving screening for the disease.

NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is reminding people to attend their screening appointment when it is offered as regular screening helps save thousands of lives every year.

Women in England and Wales aged between 25 and 64 years-old are invited to cervical screening every three to five years. 

“Everyone who has a cervix should be offered screening, which helps to prevent cancer by detecting early abnormalities in the cervix so they can be treated,” said an ICB spokesperson.

“If these abnormalities are left untreated, they can lead to cancer of the cervix (the neck of the womb).  We know that on average cervical screening helps save the lives of approximately 4,500 women in England every year.”

Invitations will be sent via the NHS App, by text or by letter when it’s time to book individual screening appointments.

Most cervical screening is done in a GP surgery by a female nurse or doctor, which involves”

• A small sample of cells being taken from the cervix
• Checking the sample for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of the cervix. These are called high risk types of HPV
• If these types of HPV are not found no further tests are needed
• If these types of HPV are found, the sample is checked for any changes in the cells of the cervix. These can be treated to help prevent cervical cancer.

“As with all cancers, the earlier a problem is spotted, the better the patient’s outcome, so if you are invited, please do attend the appointment,” added the spokesperson.

“Screening saves lives, and we are committed to helping and encouraging all women to access this vital service.”

Find out more information about cervical cancer on the NHS website.