The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), with the support of NHS England and NHS Improvement, has launched a major new national campaign, to increase the number of those eligible attending their cervical screening in England. The new Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Saves Lives campaign urges women and people with a cervix not to ignore their cervical screening invite, and if they missed their last one, to book an appointment with their GP practice now.
The latest figures for March 2021 show that nearly a third (30%) of eligible individuals - women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 - were not screened.
As part of the campaign, a new survey of 3,000 women and people with a cervix commissioned by DHSC revealed that 17% of South Asian respondents who have been invited to screening have never attended. This is higher than the England average, where 7% have never attended. The survey also revealed a number of concerns around cervical screening. Across England, embarrassment was the most common reason for having never attended or missed an appointment (stated by 42% of respondents in England), followed by those who “kept putting it off” (34%) and “being worried it would be painful” (28%).
To tackle these barriers and drive take-up, a new film has been released featuring Dr Henna Anwar discussing cervical screening with South Asian women and answering their questions. Dr Anwar also encourages those eligible to book their appointment when invited and contact their GP practise if they missed their last screening.
Dr Henna Anwar said: “Two women die every day from cervical cancer. This is particularly sad because cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Screening can help stop cancer before it starts and saves thousands of lives every year. Do not ignore your cervical screening invite, and if you missed your last one, you can still book an appointment with your GP practice now.”
Maria Caulfield, Minister for Patient Safety and Primary Care said: “Around two women die every day from cervical cancer, but screening takes just a few minutes and can stop the disease before it starts. Through our new campaign, we’re calling on all women and people with a cervix to get screened to help save hundreds of lives. Even if you’re feeling embarrassed or nervous, please don’t ignore your invitation.”
Jas Dosanjh, aged 48, believes we are fortunate to have the cervical screening programme. She said: “As soon as I get my letter, I immediately book my appointment with the nurse at my GP surgery. My last screening was fine but when I was younger, my screening results showed abnormal cells, so I had to be monitored every year for a number of years until the cells came back clear.”
Broadcaster, Nadia Ali has joined the campaign to help raise awareness of cervical screening and encourage uptake within the community. She said: “It’s so important for us as South Asian women to talk about cervical screening. We need to encourage our friends and family to attend their appointment when invited so more lives can be saved.”
Around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and 690 die from the disease– around two deaths a day. Previous estimates suggest screening prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths, but 83% could be prevented if everyone attended regularly.
Any cervical cell changes can be treated, preventing cervical cancer. That is why attending screening appointments is so important.
