A NEW cervical screening campaign has been launched - as it was revealed one in four women in the south west don’t take up their screening offer.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), with the support of the NHS, has launched a major new national campaign to increase the number of those eligible attending their cervical screening in England.

The new Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Saves Lives campaign urges those who may be eligible not to ignore their cervical screening invite, and if they missed their last one, to book an appointment with their GP practice or sexual health clinic now.

Latest figures from March 2021 show that around 73 per cent (1 in four) of eligible individuals in the South West – women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 - were not screened.

Dr Julie Yates, lead consultant for screening and immunisation for NHS England and NHS Improvement south west, said: “Screening helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for a virus called high-risk HPV which causes nearly all cervical cancers.

“This is the best way to find out who is at higher risk of developing the cervical cell changes that over time could potentially lead to cervical cancer.

"Any cervical cell changes can be treated, preventing cervical cancer.”

In England, NHS cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix between the ages of 24.5 and 49 every three years. For those between the ages of 50 and 64, screening is offered every five years.

It is important for younger women and people with a cervix who have been vaccinated to still have their cervical screen. The HPV vaccine is effective at protecting against some types of HPV but does not protect against all types of HPV, so cervical screening is still important to help find high-risk HPV or changes to cervical cells early, so they can be treated before potentially developing into cervical cancer.