Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2026
It’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Week!
Every year, over 3,200 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK. By booking yourself in for your cervical screening regularly, you can prevent cancer before it starts. Early-stage cervical cancer often doesn’t show any symptoms – that’s why it’s vital you go or your cervical screenings!
To encourage everyone to go to their screenings, we’re resharing an interview we did with our remarkable volunteer, Joan Pritchard.
Prior to her retirement, Joan worked within the NHS – 23 years as a Practice Nurse in Haxby, York – but 46 years in total. Joan helped keep thousands of local women safe from cancer by carrying out cervical screening tests (previously called the ‘smear test’).
Joan offers these reassuring words to anyone worried about the test:
“Cervical screening saves lives, it’s as simple as that!
“Some people may be worried about it, especially if they are having it for the first time. The test only takes a few minutes, and you can ask for a female nurse or doctor.
“The part of the screening that could prove uncomfortable, where a speculum is used to view the cervix and a sample of cells is gathered for testing, should last no more than 30-40 seconds. It is soon over and then you can have reassurance for three years. In the unlikely situation of anything abnormal being found, it is important to remember that when found early, cervical cancer is very treatable, it’s curable. Sadly, it is often when people do not take up the invitation to screening that things can go wrong.
“Early detection saves lives.”
What is cervical screening?
Cervical screening can catch high-risk HPV, a common virus that causes cervical cancer, allowing it to be treated and monitored before it can develop into cancer.
What happens if I test positive for high-risk HPV?
If HPV is found, the sample will be checked for any signs of changes to your cells. These cells aren’t cancer but they could lead to it in the future, so it’s vital to get them checked, treated and monitored to reduce the risk of cancer developing.
When should I get my cervical screening?
When you turn 25, you will receive a letter from your GP inviting you to book your screening appointment. You’ll then receive more invitations every 3-5 years until you turn 50, then every 5 years until you are 64. If you are a trans man or nonbinary, you may have to get in touch with your GP to book your screening.
How does screening work?
The screening itself only takes about 5 minutes to complete. The nurse or doctor conducting your test will ask you to lie back on a bed and gently insert a smooth, tubed-shaped speculum into your vagina. Using a soft brush, they will collect a small sample of cells from your cervix for testing. Then, they will remove the speculum and leave you to get dressed.
Remember – you’re in control of your screening and can ask to stop at any time. Keep in mind that this is a very common procedure carried out by nurses and doctors all the time, so please don’t feel self-conscious or afraid. Any issues at all, don’t hesitate to raise them with your nurse or doctor, ask to pause the test, reposition yourself, or get more information.
To find out more about getting your cervical screening, visit the NHS website here.
