We have a huge opportunity in cervical cancer. We know what causes it and we have the tools to prevent it.

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by high-risk HPV (99.8%). HPV is a common virus that most of us will come into contact with in our lives. Usually, our immune system clears it on its own, but sometimes it lingers and can turn into certain cancers, including cervical. With HPV vaccination, cervical screening, and education of the signs and symptoms, we can prevent nearly all cases of cervical cancer.  

For us to eliminate cervical cancer we need to do more than just ‘fix’ one thing. We need several evidence-based plans across HPV vaccination, cervical screening and making sure those with a positive HPV result get treated quickly. 

Today’s plan from NHS England covers several areas: 

1. Increasing access 

2. Raising awareness 

3. Reducing inequalities 

4. Improving digital capabilities 

5. Strengthening workforce capacity 

Increasing access 

If a child doesn’t get their HPV vaccination when offered it in school in year 7 or 8, they can get it on the catch-up programme until they are 25, or 45 if they are in a higher risk group or if they pay privately. At the moment they can get their catch-up vaccination at their GP surgery until 25, and those who can get it until 45 can do so at a sexual health clinic. One of the exciting plans is to get the catch-up HPV vaccination available in more places. NHS England plans to make catch up HPV vaccinations available in schools, colleges and universities. We know how much this will be welcomed by young people, parents and carers, educators and those who deliver the vaccination programme. Schools, colleges and universities are a place where young people and young adults can not only easily access the HPV vaccination, but are also well placed to educate people about HPV and cancer risks. 

This plan also sets out the goal to have HPV self-sampling available on the NHS for those who have never been screened or are overdue screening in 2026, if it is recommended by the UK National Screening Committee and accepted by the Government. HPV self-sampling tests are a vaginal swab that women and people with a cervix can use themselves at their GP surgery in the privacy of a bathroom, or in their own home. The test is then sent off and checks for high-risk HPV. If HPV is present, a cervical screening test will be needed to check for any changes to the cells which may need treatment or monitoring to prevent cervical cancer. HPV self-sampling will be a great step forward for some people who have barriers that make cervical screening tests difficult to access.  

Raising awareness 

HPV is a common virus that affects everyone, but awareness is low and there are many myths about it. The new plans aim to take a gender-neutral approach in education and awareness of HPV. Educating people that there are six cancers that can be caused by HPV – some head and neck, anal, cervical, vulval, vaginal and penile cancers– is life-saving information that can encourage parents, carers and young people to engage in the HPV vaccination programme. 

We want to prevent every single case of cancer we possibly can. We don’t want to see anyone get a cancer that could have been avoided if the information and support had been there for them to access HPV vaccination and cervical screening.  

Cervical cancer elimination is within our sights by 2040! The plans around increasing uptake of the HPV vaccination will also have the knock-on effect of reducing the numbers of other HPV-related cancers, which is very exciting. 

Reducing inequalities  

We know that health inequalities are affecting people all the way through the cancer pathway- from prevention, diagnosis, treatment and people’s outcomes. There are groups who find accessing cervical screening and HPV vaccination particularly difficult for a range of reasons. We are delighted to see that addressing inequalities has been made a core part of the plans. 

Addressing these inequalities cannot be done with a ‘one size fits all’ plan. There are many issues to address, and different types of information and support need to be put in place. The plans include having resources in 30 languages, working with trusted voices in communities to share these resources, and moving to easier, ‘digital-first’ booking systems. NHS England also plan to look at the evidence to decide which groups need tailored information and create the resources they need. These plans will help many people get the information they need, in the format they need it. 

One group who face barriers to getting their cervical screening is trans men and non-binary people with a cervix. At the moment, if you aren’t registered as female at your GP surgery, you aren’t automatically invited for cervical screening. This means that many trans men and non-binary people don’t get invited automatically and need to be aware they are eligible, and take the big step of booking themselves in without being prompted. The plans will change the system and trans men and non-binary people with a cervix who consent to being opted in will get invited automatically (and reminded about it).  

Improving digital capabilities 

Currently, invitations to HPV vaccination and cervical screening are sent through the post initially. Today’s plans set out to make both programmes ‘digital-first’. This includes getting your invitations and booking your appointments through the NHS App or other digital channels. For people who don’t have access to the NHS App and digital channels, letters will still be sent. 

The plans also include using digital channels to get more data on vaccination uptake to help guide the programme and allow people to check their vaccination records on their NHS App. 

Increasing workforce capacity 

The plans launched today also include increasing the workforce across HPV vaccination and cervical screening. This should help increase capacity and make it easier for people to get their vaccination and screening tests with less delays.   

We hear from many people about the positive impact that healthcare professionals can have. Having a positive experience with an empathetic and supportive nurse or doctor can empower people to engage with cervical screening again in the future. Today’s plans include supporting healthcare professionals that do cervical screening with more training. These training plans include support on how to deliver trauma-informed care. Many survivors of sexual violence find healthcare appointments distressing, especially cervical screening tests. Trauma-informed care training can help to give professionals the tools they need to accommodate, build trust and make people feel safe during their cervical screening. These plans should make cervical screening appointments easier and more accessible to many. 

At Eve, we know that eliminating cervical cancer is within our reach. We have the tools, and now we have the plan. This plan sees the many and varied barriers that stop people getting their HPV vaccination and cervical screening, and takes steps to help reduce them. We are hopeful it will see us reach our goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040!