Cervical cancer awareness | News and events

During Cervical Cancer Awareness Week (19-26 January 2026) health bosses in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are urging the public to take two vital steps to help protect themselves against cervical cancer.

There are around 3,330 cases of cervical cancer in the UK each year, which is around nine every day. The NHS offers two ways people can help reduce their risk of getting cervical cancer both of which are free. 

1. Keep up to date on cervical screening (smear) tests. It's not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer, and screening helps prevent cervical cancer developing or catches it at a very early stage. Cervical screening saves lives and if your test is overdue by any amount of time, just contact your GP practice to book.
2. Take up the invite for an HPV vaccine at school. It protects against the virus HPV which is linked to cervical cancer. The vaccine is free, and anyone under 24 who has missed having this vaccine at school can book at their GP practice.

Dr Abby Richardson, Clinical Lead for North Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Care Partnership, said “It’s vital you prioritise your health and book your appointment for a cervical screening appointment, it’s ok if you’re weeks, months or years overdue, just make sure you book it in. We do understand that having a cervical screening test can be difficult for so many reasons such as access around work or caring responsibilities, or fear of embarrassment or discomfort. I would really urge anyone who is overdue a cervical screening to speak to the someone about it, a friend or relative, or a healthcare professional. 

“I would also strongly encourage parents to make sure they give consent for their child to have the HPV vaccine when offered at school in Year 8. The HPV vaccine reduces the chances of getting human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that's spread through skin contact and is linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer. Anyone under 24 who missed having this vital vaccine can contact their GP surgery to arrange an HPV vaccine.”

Partners locally have worked tirelessly encouraging people less likely to have their cervical screening by putting in place lots of different initiatives which include:

• Education sessions and events: welcoming space for people to learn about cervical screening, ask questions and receive practical guidance, taking place across the county in Peterborough, Wisbech and Huntingdon.
• Support for people with learning disabilities: working with local GP practices to identify people with learning disabilities who are overdue their cervical screening providing tailored support, including flexible appointments and reasonable adjustments.
• Cervical screening toolkit: a toolkit to patients, GP practices, and wider community partners which help two specific groups, people with learning disabilities and people who are survivors of sexual violence. These toolkits include practical guidance, easy-read materials and tips to make cervical screening more accessible.
• Local videos about cervical screening: these videos have been translated into a number of different languages and include local health professional explaining what the process is for cervical screening and answer some common questions about it. These are available online https://www.cpics.org.uk/cervical-screening/

The local NHS has a website page dedicated to cervical screening where there is lots of local information and support https://www.cpics.org.uk/cervical-screening/