Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (19–25 January) highlights how cervical cancer can be prevented and why screening and vaccinations are so important.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Almost all cases (around 99.7%) are caused by long-term infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus that most people will be exposed to at some point in their lives.
Thanks to cervical screening and the HPV vaccine, preventing cervical cancer, and even eliminating it, is now a real possibility.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 and is estimated to save around 4,500 lives in the UK each year. Screening looks for HPV, which can cause abnormal cell changes. These changes can usually be treated before cancer develops.
If you fall into the eligible bracket, look out for your invite.