Friendly Family Surgery

26/01/2026

26/01/2026

This week is . Cervical screening is a free health test on the NHS which checks for high risk HPV, which is the cause of nearly all cervical cancers. If you're nervous about attending your screening, check out our article which explains what support is available and what adjustments you can ask for - https://bit.ly/49yTHh7

26/01/2026

During cervical screening, a healthcare professional will collect a sample of cells from the cervix. They will insert a lubricated speculum into the va**na. This will open up the va**nal walls. They then take a sample of cells by sweeping the cervix with a soft plastic brush. The sample will be sent off to a laboratory for testing.

The sample will be tested for high-risk HPV. This is the common virus which causes nearly all cervical cancers. If high-risk HPV is found, the sample will be checked for any changes to the cells. These cells aren’t cancer, but could lead to cervical cancer in the future. They can then be monitored or treated to prevent cervical cancer from developing.

It is estimated that cervical screening saved 5,000 lives a year in the UK.

Cervical screening starts at the age of 25. Anyone with a cervix is eligible. This can include cis women, trans men, non-binary, and intersex people. If you do not have high-risk HPV you will be invited every five years in England, Scotland and Wales. If you have high-risk HPV, you will be checked more regularly. If you are in Northern Ireland, you will be invited every three years until the age of 50, then every five until you are 64.

If you are in England, you will be sent an invite via the NHS App. If you do not have the app, or don’t get the message, you will be sent a text (SMS). If you don’t receive or open this text, you will be sent a letter. If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you will be sent a letter.

If you are trans and registered as male at your GP surgery, you may not get invited automatically. You can contact your GP surgery to book your screening and opt in to receive automatic invites in future.

Not everyone finds cervical screening easy, we will be sharing tips on how to make the appointment more comfortable later this week.

We have lots more information and tips on HPV, the HPV vaccine and cervical screening on our website: eveappeal.org.uk/screening

You can also speak to our nurses for free and confidential information and support on nurse@eveappeal.org.uk or 0808 802 0019.

26/01/2026

Cancer support comes in many forms, and it may not even have the word “cancer” in its name.

Across the UK, there are groups offering creative and unexpected ways to support your wellbeing, with something for every personality and energy level.

Read our latest blog to discover some of the UK’s more unusual support groups on Cancer Care Map. 📖

As always, you can find hundreds of local activities and support services by searching with your postcode on our homepage. Use the service type filter to narrow your results and find what’s right for you.

26/01/2026

Did you know there are many different types of dementia?

Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies are four of the most common forms of dementia, and they can all affect people differently.

This is our guide to a few of the most common symptoms for each illness.

Dementia looks different for everyone, so a person’s symptoms may not look exactly as they are described here.

However by knowing the signs, we can make sure that we don’t brush off or ignore some of these lesser-known symptoms, to help everyone with dementia get a crucial early diagnosis.

Save this post for later, and if you’d like more info visit our website or give our Dementia Support Line a call on 0333 150 3456.

26/01/2026

Children under 6 are now being offered the MMRV vaccine instead of MMR, as part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme.
This replaces the existing MMR vaccine and adds protection against chickenpox, alongside measles, mumps and rubella.
You don’t need to do anything — we will contact you when your child’s vaccination is due.
www.nhs.uk/mmrv

26/01/2026

Today NHS has announced that it will lower the threshold at which home-screening kits for bowel cancer will trigger a referral for further testing 📢

From next month, the level at which a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) in England will lead to further investigations will lower from 120 micrograms of blood per gram of poo (µg/g) down to 80 µg/g. The NHS will now roll out the lower threshold carefully across England, with national coverage set to be completed by 2028.

The NHS estimates that this change will lead to 35% more screening colonoscopies each year in England to help diagnose, rule out or even prevent bowel cancer.

Read more about this exciting announcement: https://bit.ly/3Ztr5zL

26/01/2026

Be a part of the Bolsover District Women's Health Network. Sign up via plinth to register your interest or get in touch to discuss further. Free training for all 4 sessions, start Tuesday 24th Feb 10am - 12pm

26/01/2026

Thrive Social Prescribing offers 1:1 support for young people (14-25) to explore what's affecting their wellbeing - from social anxiety to loneliness - and helps them build confidence, try new activities, and connect with their community. Simple support for complex needs.

Learn more by visiting https://services.thejoyapp.com/en/listings/874-thrive-social-prescribing-for-young-people

23/01/2026

22/01/2026

This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and the time is now to get checked out.

22/01/2026

We are at Bolsover Assembly rooms today *free entry*