Over 5 million women ‘not up to date’ with cervical screening – NHS report reveals

Cervical screening helps detect human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes over 99% of cervical cancers

NHS England is urging women to come forward for cervical screening as a new report reveals that over five million individuals are not up to date with their routine check-ups

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme, England 2023-2024 annual report, published today, shows that 68.8 per cent of women aged 25 to 64 were screened within the recommended timeframe, a slight increase from 68.7per cent the previous year. The screening rate was higher for those aged 50 to 64 at 74.3 per cent compared with 25 to 49-year-olds at 66.1per cent.

In 2023-2024, a total of 5.12 million women aged 25 to 64 in England were due for a test.

NHS England invited all of them to book an appointment, and 3.25 million were tested during the year, according to the report.

NHS has set an ambitious target of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040 by ensuring all eligible individuals have access to HPV vaccination and cervical screening.

Cervical screening plays a crucial role in preventing cervical cancer by detecting the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes over 99 per cent of cervical cancers.

Sue Mann, NHS England’s national clinical director for women’s health, encourages anyone invited for screening to take action.

“If you have previously missed your appointment, do not hesitate to reach out to your GP practice or sexual health clinic to schedule a new one. Taking this proactive step could potentially save your life,” she said.

Sophia Lowes, senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK, emphasised the importance of cervical screening in saving thousands of lives each year.

Helen Hyndman MBE, nurse service co-ordinator for The Eve Appeal, reiterated the need for both HPV vaccination and cervical screening to help prevent cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine can not only protect against cervical cancer by also other cancers including anal, mouth and throat, head and neck, and penile cancers caused by the HPV virus.

However, attending cervical screening appointments remains important even if you have been vaccinated against HPV, as the vaccine does not protect you from all types of HPV.

Cervical screening appointments can be booked through GP practices and some sexual health clinics also offer the service.

NHS England is also implementing new initiatives to make screening more accessible, such as allowing women to book appointments through the NHS App.

Earlier this month, the NHS announced plans to fully digitise screening, starting with a new "ping and book" service that will send alerts to phones to remind women they are due or overdue an appointment.

This service will first roll out for breast screening and expand to cervical screening in Spring 2025.

Future plans also include introducing HPV self-sample kits, which allow individuals to collect their samples for testing at home.