Cervical Cancer Awareness Week (18 June): Our work increasing HPV vaccine and cervical screening uptake
Cancer Research UK has announced this Cervical Cancer Awareness Week (18 June) that latest data shows the HPV vaccine is saving lives from cervical cancer.
The charity said in the most recent five-year period (2020-2024), and for the first time on record, no women in their early 20s have died from cervical cancer in England
Here at Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance, we are working to support increasing both the uptake of the HPV vaccine and cervical screening.
Data from 2024 shows that in Kent and Medway 70.2 per cent of women aged 25 to 49 and 74.5 per cent of women aged 50 to 64 take up cervical screening compared with England figures of 67.1 per cent for 25 to 49 year olds and 74.7 per cent for those aged 50 to 64.
Increasing the uptake of cervical screening is one of the focuses of our community outreach partner Social Enterprise Kent's (SEK's) Cancer Smart programme.
The programme targets communities with low screening uptake and barriers to care, delivering outreach and information sessions to boost awareness, confidence, and participation in cancer screening through trusted local organisations.
At neighbourhood level, we use our transformation funding to support primary care networks and community organisations to increase the uptake of cervical screening.
- Thanet Health Community Interest Company (CIC) and CARE, Ramsgate and Margate PCN - Cervical care in Thanet.
This programme aims to improve cervical screening uptake by addressing barriers like access, awareness, language, and stigma.
It offers flexible appointments and local support through education, outreach, and community-based clinics.
- Herne Bay PCN - Increase uptake in cervical screening in patients on the learning disability register.
A targeted project in Herne Bay improved access to cervical screening for people with learning disabilities by addressing barriers through tailored support, training, and clearer information.
It enabled patients and carers to make informed decisions about attending screening.
- Medway Voluntary Action and Medway and Swale Health and Care Partnership's - Increasing cancer screening rates in Medway and Swale
A targeted outreach programme in Medway and Swale, which is using community events and local partnerships to boost cancer screening uptake in deprived areas with the lowest screening rates and poorest outcomes.
It focuses on raising awareness and improving access to screening around three key GP practices.
Last year, working with the communications team at NHS Kent and Medway ICB, we created a campaign to encourage children and young people who missed the vaccine offer in school to get vaccinated against HPV. Watch our campaign animation.
We were also part of the regional Love Your Cervix communications campaign, aimed at women aged 25-29 and designed to increase awareness about the importance of cervical screening, encourage those who are eligible to attend cervical screening appointments, and help support healthy, lifelong screening behaviours.
More info:
Find out about cervical screening on the screening page our website and more about the HPV vaccination on the kmhealthandcare website.
Additional information about SEK's Cancer Smart programme is available on its website.
More details about the Love Your Cervix campaign and resources for community partners are available on NHS England's South East website.
Read more about Cancer Research UK's findings on the charity's website.