Cervical screening: all your questions answered - and why it's important to get tested

Cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer among women aged under 35, with two women in the UK losing their lives to the disease every single day.

In the battle to reduce the number of those affected, Cervical Screening Awareness Week - an annual event running from 11 to 17 June - aims to highlight the importance of regular screening tests.

Why it's so important

According to Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, regular cervical screening can prevent up to 75 per cent of cervical cancer cases, saving 5,000 lives per year.

But despite around five million women being invited for screening (formerly known as a smear test), a quarter of women are failing to attend - a figure this awareness week aims to reduce by providing women reassurance around any fears concerning taking the test.

If you have yet to attend a screening, here are some of the most common questions and concerns answered.

What is the test for?

Cervical screening is a test to check the health of the cells of the cervix - it is not a test for cancer.

In most cases the test results show that everything is normal, although around 1 in 20 cases show some abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix.

Detecting and removing these abnormal cells can prevent cervical cancer.

Is it free?

Cervical screening is free and all women aged 25 to 64 who are registered with a GP are automatically invited for the test.

This includes women who have had the HPV vaccination.

How often do I need to be tested?

Regular screening means any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix can be identified early and, if necessary, treated to protect against cancer developing.