Nelson’s Zoe Williams leads NHS Smear test campaign

The This Morning doctor appears alongside other celebrities, including Loose Women panellist Linda Robson, TV personality Scarlett Moffatt, broadcaster Louise Minchin, Drag Queen Victoria Scone and female rights activist Sharon Gaffka.

Through life-saving conversations with Zoe, they tackle the barriers to attending cervical screening and encourage those eligible to book their appointment when invited.

Zoe said: “The symptoms of cervical cancer are not always obvious, and there may not be any symptoms at all until the cancer has reached an advanced stage.

“That’s why it’s important that you attend all your cervical screening appointments.

“If you are feeling nervous or embarrassed, then I cannot encourage you enough to talk to your nurse during the test and remember you are in control and can stop the test whenever you want to.

"If you’re worried about feeling exposed, I would suggest wearing a skirt, dress or long jumper when you go for your screening.

“Screening can stop cancer before it starts and saves thousands of lives every year. If you missed your last cervical screening, book an appointment with your GP practice or sexual health clinic now.”

Gogglebox star, Scarlett Moffatt, said her routine cervical screening appointment may have saved her life.

Gogglebox star, Scarlett Moffatt, also appeared in the smear test campaign (Credit: YouTube/NHS)

She said: "A few years ago, my cervical screening may have saved my life.

“The screening detected HPV and abnormal cells linked to the development of cervical cancer, and I underwent treatment to have the cells removed.

“If I hadn’t been to that appointment, I don’t know what situation I would have been in now. That’s why I’m so passionate about and proud to be supporting the new cervical screening campaign from the Department for Health and Social Care.

“To understand more about the role of screening and discuss why people may be reluctant to attend their appointment, I had an informative conversation with Dr. Zoe 

“I cannot urge people enough to talk to their doctor or nurse about cervical screening if they’re feeling embarrassed or nervous. Please attend your appointment when you are invited – it’s a few minutes that could save your life.”

Latest figures from March 2021 show that nearly a third (30%) of eligible individuals – women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 – were not screened

Around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and approximately 690 women die from the disease – around two deaths every day.

Previous estimates suggest screening prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths, but 83% of deaths could be prevented if everyone attended regularly.

As part of the campaign, a new survey of 3,000 women and people with a cervix commissioned by DHSC today reveals a number of concerns which prevent cervical screening.

Embarrassment was the most common reason for never having attended or missing an appointment (stated by 42% of respondents), followed by those who ‘kept putting it off’ (34%) and ‘being worried it would be painful’ (28%).

Fifteen per cent of lesbian or bisexual women over 25 had never had a smear test, compared to 7% of women over 25 in general.

Maria Caulfield, Minister for Patient Safety and Primary Care, said:

“Around two women die every day from cervical cancer, but screening takes just a few minutes and can stop the disease before it starts.

“Through our new campaign we’re calling on all women and people with a cervix to get screened to help save hundreds of lives. Even if you’re feeling embarrassed or nervous, please don’t ignore your invitation.”

For further information about cervical screening, please visit the NHS website.