Cervical Cancer Can Be Prevented – Here’s How
How screening is preventing cervical cancer deaths with Consultant Gynaecologist and Gynaecological Oncologist, Dr Smruta Shanbhag
Cervical cancer is the 14th most common cancer in women in the UK, with around 3,200 cases diagnosed every year. It is one of the few cancers that we can detect before it becomes a problem through the national screening programme. This screening service (smear tests) saves lives – but thousands of women still put it off. Here’s what you need to know, and what to do if something doesn’t feel right.
Cervical cancer is preventable
As mentioned above, cervical cancer is one of the few cancers we can detect before it becomes a detriment to your health. Furthermore, 99.8% of cervical cancer cases are preventable and that’s exactly what cervical screening is designed to do. It’s quick, free, and most of the time, it gives you peace of mind that everything is normal.
But people still die from cervical cancer.
“Between 2017 and 2019 (which are our most recent statistics) 800 women in the UK died from cervical cancer,” says Consultant Gynaecologist and Gynaecological Oncologist, Smruta Shanbhag. “These are young women – in their 30s – with families, careers and their whole lives ahead of them. I’m sure had these women known how important cervical screening was, they probably would have gone for it.”
The HPV link
Cervical screening is not a test for cancer but a test for a virus called HPV (Human Papillomavirus). The HPV virus is responsible for up to 99% of cervical cancers. Most people will get HPV at some point in their life, and in most cases, it causes no harm. The majority of people will clear HPV naturally within 1 to 2 years of contracting it. But when your immune system is low, HPV can lay dormant in your cells and cause abnormal changes to the cells in your cervix.
“HPV can flare up with certain conditions,” Smruta explains. “Smoking, stress, grief, anxiety, anything that causes a great deal of stress really – moving house, even doing exams – anything that knocks your immune system can trigger it.”
That’s why even people who feel otherwise healthy or have had the HPV vaccine still need to go for their screening. Whilst the HPV vaccine is excellent for reducing your risk of cervical cancer, it does not eliminate the need for screening.
Should your body clear the virus naturally, you will have a negative smear – but if it doesn’t, your smear test gives us the chance to monitor things more closely.
When your results aren’t clear
If your smear test shows high-risk HPV or abnormal cells, you might be referred for a colposcopy – a more detailed look at your cervix using a specialist microscope.
“It’s not done in primary care,” says Smruta. “We use a colposcope to magnify the cervix and apply solutions to show any abnormal areas. If we see anything concerning, we take a biopsy. It feels like a sharp pinch and it’s half the size of a grain of rice.”
Results are usually back within four to six weeks, and depending on what they show, you may be monitored or offered treatment.
“That treatment is important,” Smruta says. “It’s what stops the abnormal cells turning into cancer.”
Common myths about cervical screening
Despite how vital smear tests are, a lot of people still put them off because of myths, fear, or misinformation. Smruta regularly sees patients who’ve delayed screening – often for reasons that are completely understandable, but not necessarily true.
Here are three of the most common myths she hears:
“I don’t need a smear test because I’ve had the HPV vaccine.”
The HPV vaccine is brilliant at reducing your risk – but it doesn’t protect against every strain of the virus. That means even if you’ve been vaccinated, you still need to attend regular screenings. The test is the only way to check what’s actually happening in your cervix.
“I’ve only ever had one sexual partner, so I won’t have HPV.”
HPV is so common that most people will come into contact with it at some point, often early in their sexual lives. It can stay in the body without symptoms for years. “I often see patients who’ve been with the same partner for decades,” says Smruta. “But HPV can still appear – especially if your immunity is low.”
“I’m not sexually active, so I don’t need screening.”
Even if you’re not currently having sex – or haven’t for a long time – you may still carry HPV from past contact. If you have a cervix and you’re between 25 and 64, screening is still recommended, regardless of your sexual activity.
Cervical screening is about being proactive – not waiting until you feel something is wrong. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it really can make a life-saving difference.
No symptoms? Still go!
It’s easy to assume everything’s fine if you feel well – especially if your last smear was clear or you’ve had the HPV vaccine. But cervical cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in the early stages.
“Please, if you’re between 25 and 64 and you get invited for a smear test – go,” says Smruta. “And if you’re anxious or something doesn’t feel right, talk to us.”
The national cervical screening programme is offered to anyone aged 25 to 64 who has a cervix – including women, trans men, and non-binary people with a cervix.
- For those aged 25 to 49, screening is currently offered every 3 years.
- For those aged 50 to 64, it is offered every 5 years.
From July 2025, the NHS in England is changing the cervical screening interval for people aged 25 to 49. If your sample tests negative for high-risk HPV, you will now be invited every 5 years instead of every 3 years.
This change is based on robust evidence about how long it typically takes for HPV to cause any changes in the cervix. If HPV is not detected, the risk of developing abnormal cells is extremely low, making longer intervals safe.
From July, individuals whose sample shows HPV is present, or who have a recent history of HPV, will continue to be invited for more frequent screening. This ensures early changes can still be picked up and monitored appropriately.
Cervical screening currently prevents around 70% of cervical cancer deaths in the UK – this number could rise to 83% if everyone attended their screening when invited.
Want to be seen sooner?
You don’t have to wait until your next scheduled screening. If you’ve missed your last one, or your last appointment was delayed, if you’re feeling unsure about something, or simply want to check in for peace of mind, we can help.
Cervical screening is not only for when the NHS calls you in – its available for you whenever you feel its needed.
Maybe you’ve experienced spotting between periods, bleeding after sex, or a change in discharge. Maybe you’ve had HPV in the past and want to be sure it’s cleared. Or maybe you’re simply someone who prefers a little extra peace of mind between tests. Whatever the reason, your concerns are valid — and you’re not overreacting by getting checked.
At Get Well Soon, you can book a cervical screening on your terms. No waiting for a letter. No delays. Just fast, straightforward care with expert clinicians who will always take the time to listen. Whether it’s your first test, your fifth, or a follow-up for reassurance, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Book your cervical screening on your terms
No waiting. No delays. Just fast care when you need it.
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