Cervical Screening
The National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme Scotland (NHSCSPS)
invites women aged 25 to 64 years (and up to 70 years in special circumstances) for a Cervical Screening test.
Cervical Screening key facts:
- In Scotland, 6 women a week are diagnosed with cervical cancer and it is most common in the 25 to 35 years age group.
- Cervical screening is the best screening tool for protection against cervical cancer.
- Ladies who have had a Hysterectomy may not require follow up screening, depending on the type of surgery they have had and the reason for their surgery.
- Your Gynaecologist or GP will be able to advise whether you still require screening.
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is very common and 4 out of 5 people will have the virus at some point in their life. Up to 70% of HPV types cause cell changes in the cervix which, if left untreated, can go on to develop cervical cancer. Although the HPV vaccine is designed to give protection, it does not give 100% protection against all the strains of the virus and therefore regular screening is still necessary.
Together with the HPV vaccine programme (which started in 2008) and HPV testing in the cervical screening test, the elimination of cervical cancer may be possible.
Even if you have had the HPV vaccines, it is very important that you still attend for your cervical screening test when invited by letter. Any of our clinicians would be more than happy to chat with you if you have questions about your test.
Please do make that appointment when you get your invite, and we look forward to seeing you at the Practice.
Useful links:
http://www.publichealthscotland.scot.uk
http://www.nhsinform.scot/cervicalscreening
www.healthscotland.scot/health-topics/screening/cervical-screening
https://www.jostrust.org/toolkit
http://healthscotland.com/documents/24327.aspx
This item was prepared by our Practice Nurse Liz Scott
