I recently read an article from Public Health Scotland about cervical screening rates. It really struck a chord with me. I’m sharing this in the hope it might resonate with even one other person.
I’m 38, and I’ve only ever had one smear test. I’ve always found excuses not to go. Too busy. Not the right time. I’ll book it later.
But if I’m honest, the only real reason was embarrassment after finding my first test a bit uncomfortable.
Why do we do this to ourselves? We’re offered cervical screening just like we’re offered breast screening. Both are equally important and could save our lives.
Almost three in five women aren’t going for their cervical screening test within six months of being invited, according to new figures.
The latest data shows that from 2024 to 2025, only 41.9 percent of women attended for a smear test within six months of getting their invitation letter. That’s a drop from 51.9 percent the year before, and well below the target of 80 percent uptake.
Public Health Scotland, which released the figures, said uptake fell across every age group between 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.
There was also a fall in the number of women who had been screened within the recommended timeframe. Either the past three-and-a-half years or five-and-a-half years, depending on their age. This fell by eight percentage points to 55.3 percent in 2024-2025, again putting it below the government’s 80 percent target.
Public Health Scotland also pointed out that fewer than half of women living in the most deprived areas, 49.6 percent, had been screened within the recommended timeframe, compared with 58.8 percent in the least deprived areas. This gap has stayed roughly the same in recent years.
Cervical screening has been offered nationally in Scotland since 1988 to help reduce cervical cancer rates and catch cases earlier, before symptoms appear. In 2023, 45 percent of cervical cancer cases were picked up through screening. That’s an improvement on 2022, but still below pre-Covid levels, when between 48 percent and 51 percent of cases were detected through screening between 2016 and 2019.
Professor David Morrison, a consultant in public health at Public Health Scotland and director of the Scottish Cancer Registry, urged women to attend their appointments. He said cervical screening can spot early cell changes and stop cancer from developing in the first place. And even when cancer is found, it’s far more likely to be at an early, treatable stage than if someone waits until symptoms appear.
He also stressed that screening is still “crucial” for people who’ve had the HPV vaccine, as the jab doesn’t protect against every HPV type that can cause cancer. According to Professor Morrison, it’s the combination of vaccination and regular screening that gives Scotland the best chance of eliminating cervical cancer.
It is time to confront the hesitation surrounding cervical screening and to stop relying on excuses. Concerns such as embarrassment or discomfort should not deter us. The procedure lasts only a few minutes, yet it has the potential to save lives.
The prospect of facing cancer is far more daunting than attending a screening appointment. Prevention and early detection of cellular changes are essential. Encourage your friends and family to attend their screenings, and ensure that you arrange your own. I will be doing the same.
