This Cervical Screening Awareness Week (19 - 24 June 2023), we’re encouraging anyone who has received an invitation for cervical screening to book their appointment now.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme saves thousands of lives every year by checking for high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a group of viruses that causes nearly all cervical cancers. It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous about the cervical screening, but it’s important you don’t let this stop you from attending this life saving exam.
When you come in for your screening, the healthcare staff will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable. You can request the exam is done by a female if this would help. The nurse can suggest relaxation techniques and comfortable positions so that you can find what works for you. If you’ve found the exam uncomfortable in the past, the nurse can do things differently this time round; it could be that a smaller speculum would be more suitable (the device used to do the exam, which is roughly the size of a tampon).
If you want to, you can also bring someone you trust to your appointment for support, and ask for a private space to undress and cover yourself before the exam.
Even if you've been vaccinated against HPV you still need to attend your cervical screening appointment when invited. Combined with the HPV vaccine, cervical screening could make cervical cancer a thing of the past.
Every screening is potentially saving a life so if you’ve received your invitation, please don’t wait. Call your GP practice to book as soon as possible - evening and weekend appointments may be available. Some local sexual health services also offer cervical screening.