Cervical Cancer Awareness Month 2025: Protecting Your Health

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a time to talk about cervical cancer, its risks, and how to prevent it.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer starts in the cervix, the lower part of the womb. Nearly all cases (99.8%) are caused by a virus called HPV (human papillomavirus). Anyone with a cervix can get cervical cancer.

How common is it?

About 3,200 women in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, leading to around 850 deaths. It mainly affects those aged 30 to 45.

What are the symptoms?

Cervical cancer may not cause symptoms in its early stages. This is why regular screening is so important. When symptoms do appear, they can include:

• Bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause.
• Changes in vaginal discharge.
• Pain during sex.
• Pain in the lower tummy or pelvis.

If you notice any of these symptoms, speak to your GP. Do not wait until your next screening appointment.

How Can You Prevent Cervical Cancer?

The good news is that cervical cancer is preventable.

In fact, 99.8% of cases are preventable, and the NHS aims to eradicate cervical cancer by 2040.

Screening and vaccination are two key ways to protect yourself.

Cervical Screening (Smear Test)

Cervical screening checks for HPV and abnormal cells in the cervix. It helps find problems early, often before they turn into cancer.

Screening is for women and anyone with a cervix.

You’ll get your first invitation from the NHS before your 25th birthday, and then every three years until age 49. Then it’s every five years until you are 64.

What do you need to do?

The NHS sends invitations automatically. Make sure your contact details are up to date on your health record.

Trans men who are registered with their GP as male may not be automatically invited to screenings, so speak to your practice to make an appointment.

Remember, screening is for people who are generally fit and well. If you have any of the symptoms above, see a GP immediately.

HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers.

The vaccine is offered to boys and girls aged 12 to 13 in school.

If you missed it, you can get it up to age 25 through a catch-up programme. The vaccine is very effective. It has already reduced HPV-related cancers.

What Can You Do?

• Book your screening when you’re due. It could save your life.
• Get vaccinated if you or your child are eligible.
• Talk about it. Share this information with friends and family.

Cervical cancer can be stopped in its tracks. We can all help protect our health by staying informed and taking action. Let’s make Cervical Care Awareness Month 2025 count.