Cervical screening (smear test) can be difficult for many people. In 2023, data showed that about 4.6 million people aged 25 to 64 in England (1 in 3 people) have never been screened for cervical cancer or have not taken up their latest invitation to book appointments for screening.

By attending regular screening, 99.8% of cervical cancer in the UK is preventable.

Very Important Invitation is a co-production between Suffolk GP+, Public Health bodies, local charities, women and people in the community to promote accessible cervical screening. Suffolk Libraries is proud to support this initiative.

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What is a smear test?

A smear test, also called cervical screening, looks for changes in your cervix. Your cervix is inside your body at the bottom of your uterus and the top of your vagina. Cervical screening looks for a virus in the cervix. For a very small number of women, the virus can be serious and cause cervical cancer.

Having the test can stop you getting cancer. Having the smear test saves thousands of lives every year. If you are aged 25 to 49, the NHS will offer you the test every 3 years. If you are aged 50 to 64, the NHS will offer you the test every 5 years.

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What is cervical cancer?

The virus that can cause cervical cancer is called HPV (Human papillomavirus). Most women will get the virus at some time in their lives. Most women who have the virus do not know they have it. You can get the virus from any kind of sex or sexual touching with a man or a woman. You can have the smear test even if you have never had sex.

Girls are offered an injection when they are 12 or 13. This injection can help protect girls against the virus that causes cervical cancer. You may have had the injection when you were younger. Having a smear test is important even if you had the injection when you were younger. Having a smear test is the only way to find out if your cervix is healthy.

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Early warning signs of cervical cancer

• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Heavier and longer periods
• Discomfort while urinating
• Loss of bladder control
• Pain during intercourse (sex)
• Pelvic pain
• Constant fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Leg pain

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For more information and resources, visit the Very Important Invitation website.