Cervical Screening Awareness Week runs from June 20-26 and aims to highlight the importance of regular cervical screening for women’s health.
The screenings are important as they play a key role in preventing cervical cancer.
Dr Rachel Orritt, Cancer Research UK Health Information Manager, said: “Cervical screening saves thousands of lives every year by picking up abnormal changes in the cervix that could lead to cancer for women, trans men and non-binary people aged 25-64."
In the UK, there are up to 3,200 cervical cancer diagnoses every year, about 300 of them in Scotland, according to Cancer Research UK.
Eligible women are invited by the NHS for a cervical screening, which they must respond to.
But data shows that uptake has declined, meaning potential cases could go unchecked.
Figures from Public Health Scotland show that 174,300 smear tests were processed in 2020-21, down from 318,727 the previous year.
This decline is in part due to the pausing of the screening programme from March-June 2020, during Covid-19 lockdown.
Numbers also reveal that women from the most deprived areas are less likely to take part in the screening programme, with uptake only 63% compared with 74% in the least deprived areas.
Dr Rachel Orritt, continued: "We encourage people to take part, but it’s a personal choice, so read the information that comes with your invite to help you decide.
"Remember you’re in control, and when booking you can ask for a longer appointment to chat through any concerns."
It is important to remember that cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer.
"Screening is for people without symptoms, so if you’ve noticed something that’s not quite right such as vaginal bleeding between periods or after the menopause, don’t put off talking to your doctor", Dr Orritt said.
She added: "Most of the time it won’t be cancer, but if it is, finding it early can make all the difference.”
If you are still unsure, here is everything to know about cervical screening, as well as cervical cancer symptoms which should not be ignored.
What is a cervical screening?
Also known as a smear test, a cervical screening checks the health of your cervix, the opening to your womb from your vagina.
The screening checks a sample of cells from your cervix for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. These are called "high risk" types of HPV.
If these types of HPV are not found, you do not need any further tests.
If they are found, the sample is then checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix.
These can then be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
What is HPV?
HPV is the name for a very common group of viruses, spread through skin-to-skin contact of the genital area.
According to the NHS, most people will get some type of HPV during their lives.
It is very common and nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about.
There are two different types of vaccinations against HPV but they are only suitable for certain age groups.
For more information on the HPV vaccine, click here.
Cervical Cancer Symptoms
According to the NHS, Symptoms of cervical cancer include:
- vaginal bleeding that's unusual for you – including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual
- changes to your vaginal discharge
- pain during sex
- pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy
You may experience these symptoms If you have another condition like fibroids or endometriosis., which you may be used to.
But it's important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you.
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