Du 23 au 29 janvier, c'est la Semaine de prévention du cancer du col de l'utérus

En Angleterre, deux femmes meurent chaque jour d'un cancer du col de l'utérus, alors qu'il s'agit de l'un des cancers les plus faciles à prévenir.

Cervical screening helps prevent cancer by checking for a virus called HPV and cervical cell changes. If left untreated, these cells can develop into cancer.

Screening only takes a few minutes, and you only have to go once every 3 or 5 years depending on your age.

But just 1 in 3 women and people with a cervix take up their screening invite.

Dr Glenda Beard, a GP and Clinical Lead for cancer at the Integrated Care Board for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, said:

“Don’t ignore your invite letter, and if you missed your last cervical screening, book an appointment with your GP practice now. It is also important to remember that having your child vaccinated against HPV can help prevent cervical cancer.”

All children in Year 8 at school will be offered the HPV vaccinations, as part of the national NHS school-age immunisations programme. If your child has missed their vaccinations, you can contact the Équipe de vaccination des enfants d'âge scolaire prendre rendez-vous.

For more information about cervical screening, see the Site web du NHS ou Jo’s cervical cancer trust where you will find information about the cervix, smear tests, cervical cancer symptoms, treatments and much more.