Its cervical screening awareness week from 10 – 16 June, the NHS and Public Health England in the North West want to use this week to raise awareness that cervical screening really does save lives.
Cervical cancer affects around 3,000 women in the UK every year and is the most common form of cancer for women under the age of 35.
Attending for cervical screening is the best way to help prevent cervical cancer. Yet there has been a decline in people attending over the last few years.
The NHS offers a screening for all women, starting around their 25th birthday and up to the age of 49 every three years, and all women aged 50 to 64 every five years.
You will receive an invitation by letter from your GP practice when you are due for a cervical screening. However, the NHS in the North West is urging women to contact their GP if they are over the age of 25 and have not been screened before, or if they think they may be overdue for an appointment - GP practice teams can check this.
Find out more about cervical screening here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/
