Cervical Cancer for GP Trainees: From Screening to Symptoms

This resource is designed for GP trainees and educators to support safe, up-to-date understanding of cervical cancer in UK primary care.

It focuses on prevention, screening, symptom-based judgement, referral decisions, and exam-relevant reasoning, rather than guideline memorisation.

The presentation is modular and can be used for self-directed learning or educator-led teaching.

How to use:
You can work through the slides sequentially or jump to specific sections using the index below.

This resource assumes medical-school level knowledge and builds towards independent GP practice.

Contents:

  1. Basics of Cervical Cancer – pathophysiology & prognosis
    Slides 2–12

  2. Prevention – HPV vaccination & population impact
    Slides 13-27

  3. Cervical Screening (UK) – what screening does and does not do
    Slides 28-39

  4. Presentation & Red Flags – symptom-based judgement in primary care
    Slides 40- 49

  5. Primary Care Management & Prognosis – referral, follow-up, and the GP role
    Slides 50-59

  6. RCGP Exams (AKT & SCA) – how this topic is assessed
    Slides 60-75

This resource reflects current UK practice, including primary HPV testing and the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. For full operational detail, clinicians should refer to national guidance.

Last reviewed: January 2026

National guidance and further reading

• NHS Cervical Screening Programme –https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/

• NICE NG12: Suspected cancer – recognition and referral – https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12

• NICE CKS: Cervical screening – https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/cervical-screening/

• UKHSA / NHS HPV vaccination programme – https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine/