Raising awareness of Cervical Cancer

31 October 2023

Women aged between 25 to 64 who are eligible for cervical cancer screening are being urged to make sure they attend their screening appointment.

Regular cervical screening (also known as a smear test) can be booked through your GP to check the health of your cervix and look for early signs of changes which can be caused by the onset of cervical cancer.

• Those aged 25 to 49 will be offered a screening appointment every 3 years
• Those aged 50 to 64 will be offered the screening every 5 years.

I am encouraging all women to be aware of any signs that could indicate cervical cancer. These may include unusual vaginal bleeding, changes in vaginal discharge and lower back pain. If you notice any change that you are unsure of, please contact your GP to discuss further.

If you have had an invite for your cervical cancer screening appointment, please do attend as this is vital in early diagnosis and treatment. If you have missed your appointment, I strongly urge you to rebook this with your GP.Dr Annapurna Sen, Consultant in Health Protection for West Northamptonshire Council

In addition to the above, children in year 8, aged between 12 and 13 will be offered the Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) which reduces the chance of HPV, a common virus that's spread through skin contact, usually when having sex and can be linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer spreading.  

Vaccination clinics will be held at schools across West Northamptonshire, please look out for your child’s invite. It is important to discuss this with your child and respond promptly to give consent and avoid missing this opportunity to protect your child’s health.

Find more information on Cervical Screening

Read the latest information on the HPV vaccine