Cervical Cancer Awareness 2025: Empowering Prevention and Early Detection (19 June – 24 June)

Cervical Screening Awareness Week in 2025 will take place from June 19th to 24th. The week is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of regular cervical screening for women’s health and the prevention of cervical cancer.

Cervical screening is one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer, yet many eligible individuals miss their appointments due to fear, misinformation, or lack of awareness.

NHS urges women to book a cervical screening as a third don’t take up vital offer. The NHS has issued a call for anyone eligible for cervical screening to come forward for a potentially life-saving appointment, with nearly a third, around 4.6 million, not taking up their latest test. More than five million invites were sent in the last full year (2021/22) – up by over a tenth (10.5%) on pre-pandemic levels.

Screening helps prevent cervical cancer by using a highly effective test to check for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), which is found in over 99% of all cervical cancers and which may cause abnormal cells to develop in the cervix. These abnormal cells can, over time, turn into cancer if left untreated. Eligible people aged between 25 to 64 are invited by letter every 3-5 years depending on their age, or more frequently if HPV or cell changes are detected.

Around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year, but the NHS screening programme helps save around 5,000 lives each year.
Cervical Screening Awareness Week plays a crucial role in:

• Educating people about the importance of screening and what the procedure involves.
• Addressing common concerns and misconceptions surrounding the test.
• Encouraging open conversations about cervical health.
• Highlighting the support available for those who may feel anxious about attending.
• By spreading accurate information, the week empowers more people to take charge of their health and helps save lives through early detection.

Facts About Cervical Screening Awareness Week

• Cervical screening can prevent up to 75% of cervical cancers if attended regularly.
• The test checks for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause cervical cell changes.
• Cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 in the UK.
• Thousands of lives are saved each year thanks to the cervical screening programme.
• The week encourages open conversations to reduce stigma and empower more people to attend their appointments.
• All women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 should go for regular cervical screening. You’ll get an invitation through the NHS App, by text or by letter asking you to make an appointment.

Trans men and non-binary people with a cervix are eligible for cervical screening. How you’re invited will depend on the sex you’re registered with at a GP surgery. If you’re registered as female with a GP, you will automatically be invited for cervical screening. If you’re registered as male with a GP, you can be invited for cervical screening automatically – speak to your GP surgery, sexual health service, or transgender health clinic and ask to get invitations automatically. If you’re a trans woman or are non-binary and do not have a cervix, you do not need to have cervical screening. But, if you’re registered with a GP as female, you may still be invited. Contact your GP surgery, sexual health service or transgender health clinic and ask to stop being invited.

Further help and support can be found on – https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/further-help-and-support/