Cancer of the cervix can almost always be prevented. Despite this, about 1500 women in the UK die of it each year. Many of these women have not had regular cervical smear tests. Women who have a cervical smear test every three to five years reduce their risk of developing cancer of the cervix by 80-90% because the test can identify women who are at risk of the disease before the disease actually starts. Treatment at this stage does not cure cancer - it prevents it even starting in the first place.

Risk Factors:

Almost all women carry some risk of developing cervical cancer. The risk of developing cervical cancer is increased if you:

Although the risk of developing cervical cancer is related to sexual activity, virgins can also get cervical cancer, although their risks are extremely low. The NHS offers cervical smear tests to all women aged 20 to 64, regardless of their sexual history.

What is a cervical smear test?

The cervical smear test is not for diagnosing cancer but rather for finding early changes that might become cancer later. All women between the ages of 20 - 64 years are advised to have a cervical smear test every three to five years.