This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and local health chiefs are encouraging women in the Vale of York area to make sure they attend their cervical screening appointments when they are invited by their GP.

Attending regular cervical screening appointments is the best way to identify abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. Detecting these at an early stage can help to prevent cancer.

Around 750 women die of cervical cancer in England each year. However many of those who develop it have not been screened regularly. Not going for cervical screening is one of the biggest risk factors for developing cervical cancer.

Lucy Botting, Chief Nurse at NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “A cervical screening appointment, more commonly known as a smear test, is available to all women aged between 25 and 64.

“It is a common misconception that women who have passed the menopause, do not need to be tested, but up until the age of 64 it is very important to have the test to check that the cervix is healthy.

“I urge all local women to take up their screening appointment. If you are unsure about having the test or if you are worried about it, chat to your doctor and tell them your concerns.”

The programme makes sure that women aged between 25 and 64 automatically receive an invitation for the test. 1 in 20 women that have the test will show some abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix but early detection and treatment can prevent up to 75% of cervical cancers.

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