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This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (20-26 January) we’re sharing different tips that can help make your cervical screening easier and more comfortable.
Cervical screening is a test offered to women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 to help prevent cervical cancer. It saves 5000 lives a year in the UK. But, the number of people going for their screening is going down. 1 in 3 didn’t go when invited in 2023-2024 (36%).
Cervical screening looks for HPV (the virus which causes nearly all cervical cancers) and any changes to the cells which can then be treated or monitored to prevent them developing into cancer.
Cervical cancer is almost wholly preventable. In 2023 NHS England set themselves the goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040. To meet this goal we need to help every person who is eligible and wants to be screened, to get booked in and attend.
We know that knowledge is power, and we want to support every person eligible by giving them the information they need to say yes to this vital cancer prevention test. If we focus on that, we have the goal of elimination of cervical cancer in our sights.
We found a lack of knowledge of some steps and adaptations women and people with a cervix can ask for during their cervical screening appointment to make the appointment easier and more comfortable.
We want everyone to be aware of what they can do to help make cervical screening easier
Our survey, launched today (YouGov January 2025) found that:
1 in 2
(56%)
weren’t aware that they could ask for their cervical screening test to stop at any point
3 in 4
(77%)
weren’t aware that they could ask for a smaller size speculum
1 in 10
(12%)
knew they could book a double appointment for more time for their screening test
1 in 10
(11%)
knew they could ask to try a different position for their cervical screening like the left lateral position
MEET EVE
who has Crohn’s disease and vaginal scarring from surgery, which can cause screening to be more uncomfortable.
If I don’t go in prepared and ready to advocate for myself there is a lot of anxiety about the pain that could happen. I always ask for a smaller speculum and for a double appointment. If I can say ‘these are the things that concern me, I’m concerned about pain, how uncomfortable it’s going to be for me and perhaps how difficult it might be for the nurse too’ – we can go in with a bit of an action plan, and that really helps me.
We hope that by raising awareness of the tips and small adjustments that can make things easier and more comfortable, we’ll encourage those who have missed their screening appointment or are putting it off, to take that important step and book it in.
Tips for your cervical screening:
We know that cervical screening isn’t easy for everybody. But there are things you can do to help make the appointment more comfortable, and we want everyone to be aware of these.
- Asking for a smaller speculum
- Booking a double appointment
- Asking to bring a friend, family member, or carer with you for support
- Listening to an audiobook, podcast or music
- Asking if you can try a different position for cervical screening
- Asking for information on cervical screening in Easy Read or in your preferred language
- Asking for a female nurse or doctor to take your cervical screening
DR AMIR KHAN
GP
There are many reasons why a woman may not attend her cervical screening, but we do know that access to the right information and support can help empower women to book in and attend this life-saving screening test. Knowledge is power! There are lots of little steps women and the nurses and doctors doing a screening test can take to make it more comfortable. If you’re nervous or scared, take some time to talk to the clinician about what to expect and to ask any questions you might have. Remember, it is your screening test, and you are in control.
Dr Sue Mann
NHS national clinical director for women’s health
We know that some women can find cervical screening very worrying and uncomfortable – and if you are concerned, our clinical staff will be on hand to help. You can ask for more time for your appointment, for the smallest speculum to be used and to have someone else in the room with you for support – and if the examination becomes too much, you can ask the person doing the test to stop at any point.
Cervical screening saves lives, and alongside increasing uptake of HPV vaccination, supporting more women to attend their screening will be essential to our ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.
So if you’ve been invited, please do make an appointment with your GP practice or sexual health clinic as soon as possible, and it’s not too late to come forward even if you were due months or years ago – we will always be happy to see you.
More information and advice
We have lots more information and advice on cervical cancer, cervical screening and HPV. You can also contact our Ask Eve nurses for free to chat about any worries or questions.
Real Stories
‘I am determined to see a future where the experiences I had are no longer the reality.’
Emma shares her story of her cervical cancer diagnosis and advocacy work.
‘My consultant said, “you’ll be back at work in 2 weeks”’
Mandy reflects on her cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment nine years ago
‘I’m making sure I do all I can to not get a preventable disease.’
Phoebe blogs about her experience of cervical screening with health anxiety