Cambridgeshire Women: Prioritize Your Smear Test & Cervical Screening

Women are being urged not to ignore cervical screening invitations as the average number of people being tested in Cambridgeshire fails to hit the national target. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week takes place from Monday, and North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust is renewing its calls for women to prioritise screening. In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, 180,755 women were eligible for smear tests during the first quarter of 2024-25. Of those, 65% attended an appointment, slightly below the national average of 67% and a long way off the national target of 80%. The screening checks for high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer. The screening is offered by the NHS to those between 25 and 64. Typically, about 95% of tests are negative but the programme identifies abnormalities early, allowing for closer monitoring or treatment where needed. Most women receive smear test invitations to attend their GP surgery. However, some are referred to Peterborough City Hospital or Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon. Michelle Hydes, a specialist nurse based in Peterborough, stressed the importance of attending appointments. "We understand cervical screening can feel daunting, but there are ways we can help patients feel more comfortable," she said. "It takes only 10 minutes, but those 10 minutes can go a long way in preventing cervical cancer."