A survey by the charity Charity The Eve Appeal to mark Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (20-26 January) found: 56% of women weren't aware that they could ask for their cervical screening test to stop at any point, 77% weren't aware that they could ask for a smaller size speculum, only 12% knew they could book a double appointment for more time for their screening, and 11% knew they could ask to try a different position for their screening.

The charity is marking the week by sharing tips that can help make screening easier and more comfortable for women.

Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women's health, said: ‘Cervical screening saves lives, and alongside increasing uptake of HPV vaccination, supporting more women to attend their screening will be essential to our ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.'

Cervical screening saves 5,000 lives a year in the UK, but the number of people going for their screening is going down, in 2023-2024 36% of women didn't go for screening when invited.