NHS urges women to attend cervical screening appointments

Women are being urged by NHS officials to attend cervical screenings after figures showed a third of those under 50 do not take up their invitation. 

As an expert dealing with people affected by cervical cancer, I welcome NHS England's ‘ambition’ to wipe the disease out by 2040.  However, it has advised that this relies on more under-50s coming forward.

What is cervical cancer?

Each year, about 3,200 women in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 850 die from it. It's the 14th most common cancer affecting women in Britain, with women aged 30 to 34 most likely to be diagnosed with it.

The disease develops when abnormal cells appear in the lining of the cervix and grow, eventually coming together as a tumour. If the cells are not caught early, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body.

Of the 11 million eligible women aged 25 to 49, 65.8% took up their invitation and were screened on time as of December 2023, lower than the 74.1% among those aged 50 to 64.

NHS England's ‘ambition’ to wipe out disease

Amanda Pritchard, Head of NHS England, previously pledged to wipe out cervical cancer by 2040.

At the time, Ms Pritchard advised that the combination of HPV vaccination and screening for the disease meant that elimination of it was a realistic ambition, with HPV known to cause 99.7% of cervical cancers.

The HPV jab is given to boys and girls when they are 12 to 13 years old and is also offered to people at high risk from HPV. From September 2023, children have been receiving a single dose of the jab when they are in year 8 rather than the two doses given previously.

However, the NHS is now urging all women to attend cervical screening even if they are vaccinated, as the jab does not protect against all types of HPV, so there is still a small chance of getting cervical cancer even though you have had the vaccination.

Why is screening so important?

Women are invited for screening by the NHS every three to five years depending on their age, or more frequently if HPV is detected.

Through my work, I believe it's vital to recognise the ambitious targets set by NHS England with cervical cancer screening and encourage everyone to attend their appointments.

At Irwin Mitchell, we support clients who have received a delay in diagnosing cervical cancer, and we understand the importance of early detection.  We also help those impacted by ensuring access to specialist care and treatment. 

Find out more about our expertise in supporting families at our dedicated medical negligence section.