Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2026 is taking place between 19 and 25 January. The aim of this week is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and provide advice about what to do to prevent developing it.

Cervical cancer is cancer that is found anywhere in the cervix, which is the opening between the vagina and the womb, and it is most common in women between the ages of 30 and 35 but it can happen at any age and can affect anyone with a cervix.

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is very common and here are more than 100 types of HPV. Most HPV infections do not cause any symptoms and resolve on their own but some types of HPV do not get better on their own and are linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer, as well as other cancers including mouth, anal, penile, vulval and vaginal cancers.

The HPV vaccine scheme was introduced in 2008, with the vaccine being offered to all girls in school year 8, and it has been shown to significantly reduce the chance of getting HPV. From 2019, it is now given to all children (both girls and boys) in school year 8, who are aged 12 to 13 and people who have not had the vaccine can have it up until their 25th birthday. This is because research has shown that the vaccine has helped to significantly reduce HPV infections and in light of this, the number of cervical cancer cases has also reduced significantly in young women; studies have indicated that the vaccine prevents almost 9 in 10 cervical cancers.

The vaccine does not however remove the risk of cervical cancer completely and for this reason, anyone with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 is invited for cervical screening every 5 years. This is a free test provided by the NHS and individuals will receive a letter in the post from the NHS asking to arrange an appointment; you should receive your invitation for your first cervical screening a few months before you turn 25. You may be invited for more regular screening if you have HPV and if you’re 65 or older, you will only be invited if a recent test was abnormal.

It is important to attend cervical screenings because, as part of cervical screening, a sample of cells from the cervix is taken to check for high risk types of HPV. Most people will not have HPV and this means that your chance of getting cervical cancer is very low.

If high risk types of HPV are found, the sample is also checked for abnormal cell changes. If there are no abnormal cells, you will be invited for a cervical screen the following year to see if your body has fought off and removed the infection. If you still have HPV then,

you will be invited again 1 year later and if you still have HPV after 2 years, you will be asked to have a colposcopy (where the practitioner will have a closer look at the cervix).

You will also be invited for a colposcopy if you have HPV and abnormal calls, you will be invited into the gynaecological department at your local hospital trust to undergo a colposcopy (where the practitioner will have a closer look at the cervix). You may also undergo a biopsy, where a small sample of cells is taken from the cervix, for further testing during the colposcopy.

Should your results show that you have CIN2 or CIN3, you may be offered treatment such as a LLETZ procedure to burn away the abnormal cells. Should your results show CIN1, you may be advised to watch and wait, returning every 6 months for a colposcopy and biopsies to check whether the cells have worsened from CIN 1 to CIN2/CIN3 or whether they have returned back to normal.

Early detection of abnormal cells can prevent this turning into cervical cancer and progressing to require significant treatment. Do not put off having your cervical screen; it can save your life.