Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is taking place from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 January 2021 to help educate people about cervical cancer and how important it is to attend your cervical screening appointment when invited to do so.
Health Scotland states that cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 25 to 35 years of age in Scotland. Women aged 25-34 are also one of the groups less likely to attend their cervical screening appointment, highlighting this awareness week's significance.
Cervical cancer screening, also known as a smear test, is available to women and anyone with a cervix aged between 25 and 64. How regularly you will get tested depends on your age, but more details can be found on the NHS website here. You will be invited for cervical screening by your GP, and the test will check your cervix for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
You might be feeling a little worried or anxious about attending your appointment, but your GP or nurse will make you feel at ease. The test will only take around 5 minutes and is worth every minute to potentially save your life, as the NHS highlights that 8 out of 10 tests stop cervical cancer from developing.
Please don't ignore your next invitation for cervical cancer screening, and do get in touch with your GP if you missed your last one. We understand your appointment might have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is essential you follow this up with your GP, as measures have been put in place to keep you safe while attending your appointment.
It's also important that you contact the doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms between your scheduled smear tests.
You can find out more about cervical cancer and its causes and symptoms on the NHS Inform website.
Join the conversation and help raise awareness of the importance of attending your cervical screening appointment - #CervicalCancerPreventionWeek #SmearForSmear