NHS urges many people aged between 25 and 64 to switch on key phone alert

Certain Android and iPhone users aged 25 and 64 are encouraged to download the NHS app for important updates. This specifically regards women, trans people and anyone else with a cervix, which describes the neck of the uterus.

This morning, the NHS issued a crucial alert about its mobile app on X, formerly Twitter. It stressed: "Cervical screening invitations are now being sent through the NHS App for women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64.

"One - Download the NHS App. Two - Turn on notifications. Three - Book and attend your appointment, when invited." Cervical screenings, commonly called smear tests, are conducted to assess the health of the cervix and aid in preventing cancer.

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Generally, the examination takes around five minutes and involves undressing from the waist down before lying on a bed. A nurse will then insert a tube-shaped speculum into the vagina and expand it to visualise the cervix, from which cell samples will be collected using a small brush.

Medical professionals are particularly interested in types of 'human papillomavirus (HPV)', a widespread group of viruses that may lead to changes in the cervix. HPV spreads through multiple means, including sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, and sharing sex toys.

Although the body can eliminate HPV without difficulty, certain types may persist for an extended period. In severe instances, high-risk HPV types could lead to genital warts or cervical cancer. "Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix and helps find any abnormal changes before they can turn into cancer," further NHS guidance explains. "It's not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer. Cervical screening checks a sample of cells from your cervix for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).

"These types of HPV can cause abnormal changes to the cells in your cervix and are called 'high risk' types of HPV. If high-risk types of HPV are found during screening, the sample of cells is also checked for abnormal cell changes. If abnormal cells are found, they can be treated so they do not get a chance to turn into cervical cancer."

While 25 to 49-year-olds are typically invited to take a screening every three years, 50 to 64-year-olds are invited every five years. Anyone aged 65 or above may be asked if a recent examination was abnormal.

Invitations are sent through the NHS app, as well as via text or mail.

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Am I at risk of cervical cancer?

People with a cervix might be at risk of cervical cancer if they have engaged in 'any kind of sexual contact'. This includes:

• Vaginal, oral or anal sex
• Any skin-to-skin contact with the genital area
• Sharing sex toys

This also applies in the following cases:

• You have only ever had one sexual partner, or you've had the same partner for a long time
• You are lesbian or bisexual
• You are a trans man with a cervix
• You have received the HPV vaccine
• You have undergone a partial hysterectomy that did not remove all of your cervix

For more information, head to the NHSwebsite.