Three inspiring young women from the South East are urging others to take charge of their health and ‘love their cervix’ as NHS England South East launches a vital new cervical cancer screening campaign.  

To mark cervical screening awareness week, young women from across the region have shared their experiences of cervical screening to promote the Love Your Cervix campaign’s powerful message to young women – love your cervix and take control of your health. 

Women in the South East aged between 25-29 currently have the lowest uptake of cervical screening with some surgeries across the region reporting uptake as low as 60%.   

Uptake is particularly low in young women from a black or minority ethnic background which is why medical experts and young women across the south east have come together to launch the Love Your Cervix campaign and urge women to take up their cervical screening invites.  

The campaign targets those who are either due or overdue their first and second screening appointments and encourages women to book an appointment with their GP practice when invited by the NHS for their cervical screening and get checked out to help stop any cancer developing.    

Through a social media, radio and advertising campaign, along with resources for GP practices and community organisations, Love Your Cervix is also aiming to dispel myths about cervical screening and smear tests, and empower women to take control of their health and make an appointment to have their screening. 

Dr Daghni Rajasingam, Deputy Medical Director for NHS England in the South East said:   

“The NHS has pledged to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, saving thousands of lives every year. Together with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, regular cervical screening is the most effective way to protect against cervical cancer and prevents more than 7 in 10 cases.   

“We want young women to take charge of their health, take-up their invitation to attend cervical screening and develop the healthy habit of regular cervical screening for the rest of their lives. It’s your cervix, show it you care.”   

NHS screening works by using a highly effective test to check for high-risk HPV, which can cause abnormal cells to develop in the cervix. These abnormal cells can, over time, turn into cancer if left untreated. The test takes less than 5 minutes and the whole appointment takes 10 minutes.   

Shreya, 28, from East Berkshire has been getting her cervical screenings since she was invited at the age of 25 and is encouraging other women to come forward after a recent screening came back with borderline changes. 

“A few minutes of discomfort is worth the peace of mind I get from knowing if I’m at risk, says Shreya.  

“Cervical cancer runs in my family, so it’s important for me to stay on top of my health and know what’s happening in my body. I want to have children one day, so I want to be in the best health possible. My recent screening came back with borderline changes, so I went for a colposcopy and did a biopsy. Luckily, the results came back not cancerous, but I’m going to go back in 6 months for another screening to monitor it. 

“While I’ve been lucky that this wasn’t cancerous, the idea that it could’ve been, and I wouldn’t have known if I didn’t get screened, is scary. I would therefore really encourage everyone who qualifies for cervical screening to take up the offer. It’s so quick, and your health is worth the few minutes of discomfort that you may or may not experience.” 

Morgan 28,  who lives in Kent, took up the offer of cervical screening as soon as she was invited. She said:     

“I booked my first cervical screening in as soon as I received my letter, six months before my 25th birthday.   

“Although I’m one of the youngest of my friends, I was one of the first to have my screening. Many of my friends received their invites during Covid but didn’t take up the offer. I was a bit nervous having read some comments online and not being able to talk to my friends about their experience, but I like to take control of my health where I can, so I booked my appointment.   

“The screening was so quick and easy, and the nurse was super relaxed and made me feel comfortable. I got my letter one week later confirming no abnormal results and shared my experience with all my friends, many of whom then booked in to get theirs done.   

“All in all, it was one second of slight discomfort for the benefit of knowing that any changes to the cells of my cervix that might turn into cancer, would be caught as early as possible. I’ll happily be attending my next screening!   

“My advice to others would be not to trust everything you read online, book the appointment, and normalise talking about cervical screening with your friends.”   

Megan, 28 from Kent attended her routine screening appointment which detected abnormal cells. These were treated and she continues to attend regular routine screening. She said:  

“I didn’t want to do it, but it never crossed my mind not to go because I know how important cervical screening is. I had my first screening just before I was 25 and they found abnormal cells. Thankfully these were treated, and I am now okay and I attend regular routine screening.  

“I was shocked to hear that so many people still don’t go to their screening because everyone I know goes to their and all the influencers I see advocating on social media.” 

It is important all eligible women screening. Whatever your age or where you live, if you’ve been invited to attend your cervical screening please book an appointment with your GP practice.   

Love Your Cervix. Find out more information on cervical screening at www.nhs.uk/cervical-screening