This week is Cervical Screening Awareness Week!

The cervical screening programme, which had been suspended due to COVID-19, has begun to be restored.

There will be prioritisation  for:
– Women invited but not screened and people with a delayed invitation
– Women invited for routine screening (due or overdue)
– Older women – especially for those that it might be their last smear
But anyone who is eligible, due a smear test and asks for it, will also be able get it.

Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina. The smear test isn’t a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer that all women between 25 and 64 are invited to take. Here’s a video explaining what happens in the smear test:

 

During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells are taken from your cervix. The sample is then checked 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 these types of HPV 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. You’ll get your results by letter, usually in about 2 weeks. It will explain what happens next.

This week is Cervical Screening Awareness Week, so we’ll be sharing interviews and stories of GRACE Women who were diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and highlighting important facts, myths and misconceptions about the Smear Test!