Sussex NHS Urges Women To Attend Cervical Screening Appointments After Low Take-Up

This Cervical Screening Awareness Week, NHS Sussex is urging those eligible to attend their appointments when invited.

Data shows a low take-up in numbers of women missing the potentially life-saving offer in Sussex.

Cervical Screening Awareness Week (June 17-23) raises the profile of cervical screening by sharing tips and experiences for those who find accessing screening appointments difficult.

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 cervical screening 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 their appointments – 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 that a total of 462,838 women aged 25-64 were invited for cervical screening, but only 331,034 were screened, resulting in a 72% attendance rate. Within this, the older age group (50-64), who are invited every five years, had 174,103 invitations with 130,057 attending, showing a 75% attendance rate.

Meanwhile, the younger age group (25-49), who are invited every three years, saw 288,735 invitations but only 200,977 attended, resulting in a 70% attendance rate.

Primary care facilitator, Lisa Vivian- Jones, said:

“During this year’s Cervical Screening Week we are highlighting how many women in Sussex are missing their potentially life-saving appointment, and are calling for anyone eligible for cervical screening to come forward for an appointment when invited.

“Screening is an effective way to catch cervical cancer at a very early stage, which is why it is especially important that people attend their screening appointments.

“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.”

NHS Sussex recognises every individual’s circumstances are different when accessing screening services and not everyone finds it straightforward. People who are affected by anxiety or find it difficult to attend their cervical screening (smear test) can find information about support and how to plan screening appointments on the NHS Sussex website. 

The Act on Cancer Together (ACT) team is available to talk about going for a cervical screening test or answer any questions. If they don’t know the answer, they will know someone who does. To talk to someone, you can phone the ACT team on 01273 234769 or email them at info@trustdevcom.org.uk.