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How to prepare for your cervical screening

Thanks to vaccination and screening, cervical cancer should be almost entirely preventable. Vaccination prevents infection with the most common cancer-causing strains of HPV, the virus responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer. Cervical screening is a test that detects changes to the cells of the cervix, often caused by prolonged HPV infection, and allows abnormalities to be treated before becoming cancerous. Regular cervical screening is the number one way to prevent cervical cancer.

There are two cervical cancer vaccines; Gardasil9® and Gardasil® which guard against up to 90% of the HPV infections that can cause cervical cancer as well as other cancers in men and women.

Cervical screening

HPV is a common virus that can cause changes to cells in your cervix, which in rare cases can develop into cervical cancer.

Planning or going for a cervical screening can be daunting. It's one of the most intimate examinations you can receive from your health care specialist, but it's also one of the most important. A simple examination could save your life.

Schedule your appointment at any time in the month when you aren't having your period. Your health care specialist will most likely ask you about your last period, when it began and its duration, and also if you are using contraception which type of pills or method you use. It is good to write down any questions or concerns you have so you remember to mention them.

Feel free to bring a friend or relative you trust along as a support person if you wish to. On the day wear a top and skirt or similar as your nurse will ask you to remove your clothing from the waist down so that they can examine you.

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What to expect when going for a cervical screening

Cervical screening is a relatively simple procedure that can be over and done with in just a few minutes and should not be painful. Empty your bladder for comfort prior to the procedure. Your health care professional will ask you to remove your clothing from the waist down and lie on your back. It is likely your health care professional will give you a sheet to cover your stomach and thighs to make you feel more comfortable. When you are ready, your health care professional will ask you to bend your knees so they can insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. This will usually be a small tube and it holds the walls of the vagina open allowing a clear view of the cervix. This part of the exam can feel slightly uncomfortable or awkward as there may be some pressure on your pelvic area but shouldn't be painful. If you do feel any pain let your health care professional know and they can adjust the speculum. Your health care specialist will then use a brush to gently collect a cells from the cervix. The cells collected are then transported to a lab in a vial of preservative fluid for examination to check for the presence of any cervical abnormalities.

And that's it! You can go about your day. The exam doesn't prevent any activity afterwards. You may have slight spotting after the test, however if you have any pain or heavy bleeding after the test then it is best to let your health care specialist know.

For many women it is important that they feel comfortable with the person who will be doing the test. Take your time to find a health care specialist that you feel comfortable with and make sure you share any concerns or worries you have about the procedure or about your reproductive health or anatomy. Try not to be shy or embarrassed about any question you might have, no doubt the health care specialist or practice nurse has been asked many times before and they can set your mind at ease.

A couple of minutes could literally save your life.

When to get your cervical screening?

A cervical screening can be awkward and uncomfortable, especially if you don't know what will happen when you do.

However, with women still dying each year from cervical cancer, it is extremely important to make sure this potentially lifesaving test is not put off for too long.

The NHS recommends that all women who are registered with a health care specialist should aim to have a cervical screening done:

aged 25 to 64 - every five years
over 65 - only women who haven't been screened since age 50 or those who have recently had abnormal tests

Standing Strong on the Fertility Journey

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

written by Rosie Buckley
rosie.buckley@contentcoffee.com

According to research, 99.8% of UK cervical cancer cases are preventable. Despite this, there are 890 deaths from cervical cancer each year in the UK (2021-2023).

Cervical Prevention Week falls on 19th - 25th January for 2026. This is a vital time to raise awareness about the importance of cervical screening, the symptoms to look out for, and how fertility can be affected.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer starts in the cells lining the cervix, the cervix is the entrance to a persons womb. Symptoms can include:

Unusual vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding during or after sex, between periods, after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual.
Pain during sex.
Pain in the pelvis (the area between the hip bones), or pain in the lower tummy or back.
Unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge.

Cervical cancer is most often caused by an infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is usually transmitted through sexual contact. Many HPV types aren’t a concern, but some types come with a higher risk of certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer.

Taking Steps to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cervical Screening

Also known as a smear test, these are available to anyone in England aged between 25 and 64 with a cervix. You’ll be invited to these every 5 years, with the first invitation being sent out at 24 and a half years old. Trans men who are registered as male at their GP won’t get an invitation, but are still entitled to a cervical screening. These check the health of your cervix, looking for abnormal cells and high-risk HPV. While going for a cervical screening might sound uncomfortable, it’s important you attend your appointment as they can detect cancer early and find problems before they develop.

The HPV Vaccine

This vaccine helps to protect against certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can also prevent cervical cancer. The vaccine is offered on the NHS for boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 13. If you missed the vaccine, you can get it for free up to your 25th birthday from your GP practice. There are other circumstances where you can request the vaccination if you haven’t had it already, which you can read here. If you’ve had the vaccine, it’s still important to attend cervical screenings.

How Treatment Can Affect Fertility

Many treatments for cervical cancer can affect fertility, such as radical hysterectomy, which is surgery to remove your uterus, making it impossible to get pregnant. Radiotherapy for cervical cancer involves treating the womb, often making pregnancy very difficult or unsafe. Losing your fertility can be devastating, but there are options, like egg freezing. Speaking to a fertility specialist can help you plan ahead.

Closing Thoughts

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week provides the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about preventing and spotting cervical cancer. You can do this through social media by sharing facts and figures from reputable sources. Expressing the importance of cervical screenings and the HPV vaccine is also key.

UK Cervical Cancer is a small non-profit charity, powered by an amazing team of volunteers. We’re dedicated to creating awareness of how cervical cancer can be prevented. Take a look at our website to find out more about what we do and how you can get involved.

References

Cervical screenings are nicer with the Comfort Checklist!

UK Cervical Cancer has developed a new woman-focused “comfort checklist” for cervical screening.

Comfort Checklist objectives:

Increase awareness and understanding of the need for regular screening amongst women.
Increase the likelihood of cervical screening being perceived as a “comfortable” procedure and positive experience.
Include ways to overcome barriers to improve screening adherence.

Menopause Checklist

We also now have a checklist relating to menopause for you to look at. We hope this will aid you.

Helped so many lives

As a cervical cancer survivor, I owe a debt of gratitude to UK Cervical Cancer. Their comprehensive approach to combating
this disease, from awareness campaigns to funding research, has made a tangible difference in countless lives, including mine.
Laura Adams
Cervical Cancer Survivor

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