A new national campaign is calling on those eligible for cervical screening not to ignore their screening invite.
The survey released this week shows embarrassment was the most common reason for not booking a screening appointment (42%) in England.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), with the support of the NHS, has launched the new Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Saves Lives campaign this week, which urges those eligible aged between 25 and 64 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.
Sister Julie Thomas, an oncology nurse specialist at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “GP practices in Cumbria are all open during Covid pandemic and practice nurses are ready and available to take your smear test. Please do not defer your smear if it is due, attending for your smear could save your life.
“If you are not due your smear but you have developed any concerning symptoms then please make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible for examination.”
Around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and approximately 690 women die from the disease – around two deaths every day.
Previous estimates suggest screening prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths, but 83% of deaths could be prevented if everyone attended regularly.
NHS England data shows nearly a quarter of the 125,836 women eligible for cervical screening in Cumbria during 2020-21 did not attend an appointment.
In Cumbria, 77 per cent of those eligible were screened – down from 79 per cent the year before.
It means an estimated 28,710 women in the area missed out on the potentially life-saving programme during the pandemic, when invites to screenings were temporarily suspended and appointments delayed.
As part of the campaign, a new survey of 3,000 people eligible for screening, commissioned by DHSC in England, reveals a number of concerns which prevent cervical screening. Embarrassment was the most common reason for never having attended or missing an appointment (stated by 42% of respondents), followed by those who “kept putting it off” (34%) and “being worried it would be painful” (28%). 15% of lesbian or bisexual women over 25 had never had a smear test, compared to 7% of women over 25 in general.
To tackle these barriers and help drive uptake, a new film has been released featuring Loose Women panellist Linda Robson, TV personality Scarlett Moffatt, broadcaster Louise Minchin, Drag Queen Victoria Scone and female rights activist Sharon Gaffka, alongside GP and media medic, Dr Zoe Williams. Through life saving conversations, they tackle the barriers to attending cervical screening and encourage those eligible to book their appointment when invited.
The full findings from the new survey reveal:
- When asked about what their experience was like at their most recent test, almost three quarters (71%) said they were nervous and almost half (47%) said they were embarrassed
- The majority (82%) said the nurse or doctor put them at ease during a cervical screening
- Positively, over half of respondents (62%) were surprised about how quick the test was, and 87% would encourage others who are worried to go for a test
- Around one in 10 don’t feel comfortable discussing a cervical screening with anyone, just under half would talk to their friend (48%) or their partner (47%) and almost two out of five would talk to their mother (35%)
- The majority (89%) said they were glad they attended a cervical screening.
In England, NHS cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix between the ages of 24.5 and 49 every three years. For those between the ages of 50 and 64, screening is offered every five years.
The campaign will emphasise that screening, which only takes a few minutes, can help stop cervical cancer before it starts, and is being supported by charities, including Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. Cervical screening checks for high-risk types of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a common virus that most people will get at some point. While for people with high-risk HPV the risk of getting cancer is low, any abnormal changes can be identified early. Cell changes are easily treated, and this prevents cervical cancer. That is why attending screening appointments is so important.
For further information about cervical screening, please visit www.nhs.uk/cervicalscreening.
FACT FILE
How can you reduce your risk of cervical cancer?
- Attending cervical screening when invited.
- Knowing the symptoms of cervical cancer and seeking medical advice if experiencing any.
- Encouraging taking up the HPV vaccination for people aged 11-18.
Who can have a Smear Test?
You are automatically invited for cervical screening if you are:
- between the ages of 25 to 64
- registered as female with a GP surgery.
You are invited:
- every 3 years between age 25 and 49
- every 5 years between age 50 and 64.
You may get your first invite up to 6 months before you turn 25. You can book an appointment as soon as you get the invite.
It is very rare to develop cervical cancer if you are under the age of 25 or over the age of 64, if you have had regular cervical screening.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
- Lower back pain
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding: during or after sex or between periods
- Post menopausal bleeding
- Unusual discharge
If you have experienced any of these symptoms you should contact your GP.
Smear test appointments are available through NCIC’s Sexual Health Clinics.