The NHS has reaffirmed its ambitious goal to effectively eliminate cervical cancer in England by the year 2040. The health service used the start of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week to issue a fresh call to action, urging millions of eligible people to attend potentially life-saving screening appointments.
How the NHS Plans to Wipe Out a 'Common' Cancer
This renewed commitment, shared via an official NHS update, centres on drastically reducing cases through a two-pronged approach. The strategy hinges on the widespread success of the HPV vaccination programme for both boys and girls, alongside robust uptake of regular cervical screenings, commonly known as smear tests.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies a cancer as "eliminated" when cases fall below four per 100,000 women. The NHS aims to reach this threshold in England by 2040. Dr Daghni Rajasingam, deputy medical director for NHS England in the South East, emphasised the effectiveness of the current tools: "Together with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, regular cervical screening is the most effective way to protect against cervical cancer and prevents more than seven in 10 cases."
The Critical Role of Screening and Vaccination
As part of its 'Love Your Cervix' campaign running from January 19 to 25, the NHS is calling on all eligible women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to book their screening. The health service is also working to make testing more accessible, exploring options like self-sampling kits and better access through the NHS App.
The impact of the existing programmes is already clear. The HPV vaccine has led to an almost 90% reduction in cervical cancer rates among young women. With over 99% of cervical cancers caused by persistent HPV infection, the combination of vaccination and screening presents a powerful preventative method. Currently, cervical cancer results in about 685 deaths annually in England, with roughly 3,300 new cases diagnosed each year, making it one of the most common cancers in women aged 30-44.
Recognising the Signs and Getting Tested
Understanding the symptoms is crucial for early intervention. The NHS advises seeing a GP if you notice any of the following, especially if they are unusual for you:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding (during/after sex, between periods, or after menopause).
- Heavier periods than normal.
- Changes to vaginal discharge.
- Pain during sex or in your lower back, pelvis, or tummy.
"These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions," the NHS states. "Having them does not definitely mean you have cervical cancer. But it's important to get them checked by a GP. This is because if they're caused by cancer, finding it early means treatment is more likely to be successful."
A cervical screening appointment itself is quick, with the cell collection taking under five minutes. A nurse or doctor uses a soft brush to gather cells from the cervix, which are then tested for high-risk HPV and any abnormal cell changes. The NHS message is clear: "Cervical screening saves lives. A few minutes could prevent cancer."
