Tens of thousands of women in Sussex miss vital cervical cancer screening

Cervical screening is a free health test available on the NHS as part of the national cervical screening programme. The NHS recommends all women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 should go for regular cervical screening. ​Screening is for people without symptoms as a preventative measure and helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for cervical cell changes, which if left untreated, may develop into cancer.

Most test results are normal, but screening can identify signs early and so it is important not to put it off. Friends and family should also be encouraged to attend – it could save their lives. Appointments can be booked at a GP practice or local clinic.

​Screening can lead to the prevention of up to 75% of cervical cancers, yet the number of women attending is low across Sussex. Data for 2023/24 indicates 462,838 women aged 25-64 were invited for cervical screening, but only 331,034 were screened – a 72% attendance rate. Within this, the older age group (50-64), invited every five years, had 174,103 invitations with 130,057 attending – a 75% attendance rate. The younger age group (25-49), invited every three years, saw 288,735 invitations but only 200,977 attended – a 70% attendance rate.

​Primary care facilitator, Lisa Vivian- Jones, said: “There are lots of reasons why somebody might not want to come forward – embarrassment, inconvenience, or uncertainty – but please access the support information online or speak to a healthcare professional if you are unsure.”