Make sure to book your cervical screening appointment! 🏥📆
Cervical screening, which used to be called a smear test, is not a test for cancer; it is a test to help prevent cancer. It's offered to women and people with a cervix (the opening to your womb from your vagina) aged 25 to 64.
Why is cervical screening important?
- Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.
- It's not a test for cancer; it's a test to help prevent cancer.
- Remember to book your cervical screening. 📆
Do I need to go for cervical screening if I have had an HPV vaccine?
- Yes, it does not protect you from all types of HPV, so you're still at risk of cervical cancer.
If you are experiencing symptoms, please make an appointment with your GP practice, do not wait for your cervical screening appointment.
What is HPV (Human Papillomavirus)?
Protect Yourself Against Cervical Cancer with the HPV Vaccine
Did you know there's a simple way to help protect yourself—and your loved ones—against cervical cancer? The HPV vaccine is a powerful tool that guards against the human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer, as well as some other types of cancer.
In addition to cervical cancer, girls and women can develop other cancers from HPV, including anal, vulvar, vaginal, and some types of head and neck cancer. Specifically, HPV can also cause oropharyngeal cancer (mouth and throat cancer). Additionally, penile cancer and some head and neck cancers are also linked to HPV.
Thanks to the vaccine, cervical cancer rates have dropped by almost 90%—a huge leap forward in women’s health.
In the UK, the vaccine is first offered to all children aged 11 to 13 (school years 8 and 9), giving them protection before they’re ever exposed to the virus. If it wasn’t taken up at that time, older children and teens can still get the vaccine—it's never too late to catch up.
Haven’t had a vaccine by the time you leave school? No problem. Just get in touch with your GP to arrange your vaccination. Available until 25 years of age.
Useful information and resources:
Support for everyone
- About Cervical Screening | Cancer Research UK
- Cervical screening - NHS
- Cervical Cancer Symptoms | Cancer Research UK
- Cervical Screening Awareness Week
- Understanding Cervical Screening
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
- HPV and Cancer
For more information and support about going for cervical screening, you can contact The Eve Appeal by:
- Helpline: 0808 802 0019
- Ask Eve Nurse Information Service
Support for LGBTQ+ people 🏳️🌈
- Cervical screening for LGBT people from the LGBT Foundation
- Cervical screening for lesbian and bisexual women on GOV.UK
- Cervical screening for trans and non-binary people on GOV.UK
