Cervical cancer: Third of Sheffield women missing checks, charity warns

Cervical screening looks for abnormal cells in the cervix

A third of women in Sheffield miss vital checks to help prevent cervical cancer, a charity has warned.

Yorkshire Cancer Research said thousands of women invited for cervical screening each year had never attended an appointment, with the number missing free NHS tests increasing.

Screening helps identify those at risk of developing cervical cancer, followed up with tests and treatment if needed.

Cervical cancer is "almost completely preventable", the charity said.

Chief Executive Dr Kathryn Scott said cervical screening may be awkward for some but it saved lives.

"It is vitally important that women come to their cervical screening when invited," she said.

"Screening helps detect changes in cells, so pre-cancerous cells can be treated before they have the chance to develop into cancer."

Women between 50 and 64 are invited for cervical screening every five years

Many women do not keep cervical screening invitations because of embarrassment, anxiety about the process or fear that it would hurt, the charity said.

But there were also practical reasons, such as whether they could book an appointment before or after work.

The charity said the age group most likely to miss screenings was 25 to 49-year-olds, who are invited for screenings every three years.

Women between 50 and 64 are invited every five years.

Trans-men and non-binary people with a cervix are also eligible, it said.

Dr Scott said doctors knew attending screening could be daunting but "the more people who attend their screening appointment, the more cancers that can be prevented and more lives will be saved".

She said 25 to 29-year-olds would be given a tote bag for attending appointments, including a postcard to encourage friends and family to keep their appointments.