Health bosses urge: “Don’t fear, get a smear”

This Cervical Screening Awareness Week (14 – 19 June 2021), health bosses at Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are urging people to ‘don’t fear, get a smear’ and attend their routine cervical screening appointments when invited.

Five million women and people with a cervix are invited for screening every year.  It is a free health test that checks for cell changes caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).

Cell changes aren’t always a problem but it’s important to keep an eye on them, to check whether they may develop further, or turn cancerous and need treatment.

If you are registered with a GP, you will get a letter telling you it is time for your cervical screening appointment. You then need to contact your GP to book an appointment. You can usually do this online or over the phone.

To look after your cervical health, health bosses are urging people to:

• Attend cervical screening when invited;
• Know the symptoms of cervical cancer and seek medical advice if experiencing any unusual vaginal bleeding, changes in vaginal discharge, pain during sex, or unexplained lower back pain;
• Take up the HPV vaccination if aged between 11-18;
• Seek medical help and raise any concerns with your GP.

If you would like to get involved and spread the message this Cervical Screening Awareness Week, there are resources available on the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website.

For more information on cervical cancer and what the screening test involves, please visit: www.nhs.uk/cervicalcancer

Routine cervical screening can be lifesaving, so don’t fear, get a smear.