Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

Six women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every week in Scotland, so NHS Lanarkshire is raising awareness about how to reduce YOUR risk.

The cervical screening (smear) test saves around 5,000 lives every year in the UK and stops 8 out of 10 cancers from developing in the first place.

This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, (22nd – 28th January), we want to remind YOU how to reduce YOUR risk of cervical cancer and we want you to spread the word with your friends and family. #CCPW

  • Go for your cervical smear (cervical screening test) EVERY TIME YOU ARE invited
  • Check that you know what the symptoms of cervical cancer are. You need to see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
  • Get the HPV vaccine when it is offered .The HPV vaccine is given at secondary school to girls in in S1 and 2 (2xdoses in total). There is catch up in school each year.
  • Talk to friends and family about how to reduce their risk of cervical cancer
  • Know where to find support and more information

All women in Scotland aged 25-49 are invited for a smear test every three years, while women ages 50 – 64 are invited every five years. Early changes to cells (pre-cancerous cell changes) don’t usually have any symptoms so it is important for women to go for their smear when invited, even if they have had the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine.

Further information:

 

Comments are closed.