New more sensitive cervical cancer smear test available for Solihull women - The Solihull Observer

New more sensitive cervical cancer smear test available for Solihull women

Solihull Editorial 20th Jan, 2020 Updated: 20th Jan, 2020   0

A NEW HPV-centred, more sensitive cervical cancer screening test is now on offer to women in Birmingham and Solihull.

Today (Monday, January 20) on the first day of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (January 20-26 2020), NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group is highlighting the availability of the new test which has been on offer to women since September 2019.

While women will undergo the same procedure when booking in for their cervical screening test, the improved test now looks for the presence of a specific type of the human papillomavirus virus (HPV). If left alone, this can cause changes in the cells of the cervix, which may lead to cervical cancer.

Helen Jenkinson, NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group’s Chief Nursing Officer, said: “This new cervical screening test is not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer. Finding HPV early means it can be monitored or treated, reducing the chance of it causing cervical cancer.




“Screening rates are declining across the UK, especially amongst the under 50s, and particularly young women aged 25-29. Hopefully this new test will encourage more women to get screened and cut the number of cases of cervical cancer.

“Women who the test identifies as having HPV will be invited for a further test for cell changes. If none are found, the woman will be invited to have another screening test sooner than the standard test interval.”


Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’s #SmearForSmear 2020 campaign aims to bust the stigma and myths that exist around smear tests and HPV – the charity says 80% of women will have HPV and for something so common there shouldn’t be so much shame, fear and confusion around it.

Latest figures show that the take up for cervical screening tests in Birmingham and Solihull is low, with 68% of the people eligible for a test booking one.

Although take up is low, to date cervical screening has prevented at least 2,000 cervical cancer deaths each year in the UK.

The main benefit of the new, HPV-centred approach is that it is more sensitive than the technique used to detect cell changes, the objective of cervical screening up until now.

Everyone with a cervix who is aged 25 – 64 is eligible for testing, including lesbian and bisexual women, as well as trans men.

Women who have had a partial hysterectomy that didn’t remove all of the cervix should also be tested, as well as women who have been vaccinated against HPV.

HPV lives on our skin, so it’s easy to get and difficult to completely protect against. It can be spread by sex but also by any kind of skin-to-skin contact of the genital area. The fact that most HPV infections are sexually transmitted can lead to worry and embarrassment. To book a cervical screening test, contact your GP.

FACTFILE & KEY CONTACTS: How to reduce your chance of cervical cancer

  • Attend cervical screening when invited
  • Know the symptoms of cervical cancer and seeking medical advice if experiencing any
  • Take up the HPV vaccination if aged 11-18 (this is also being rolled out for boys age 12-13)
  • Know where to find support and further information:
  • NHS England: nhs
  • Cancer Research UK: www.cancerresearchuk
  • Jo’s Trust: jostrust

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Solihull Observer newspaper.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Solihull Observer.

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.