NHS Lanarkshire is urging people to attend their "potentially life-saving" smear test.
The reminder comes ahead of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, which begins on Monday, January 19.
Celia Briffa-Watt, NHS Lanarkshire’s consultant in public health, said: "Anyone aged 25 to 64 who’s eligible is invited for cervical screening.
"When it’s your turn, you’ll get a letter asking you to make an appointment with your GP practice.
"Please don’t ignore your invitation.
"A smear test can help stop cervical cancer before it starts – it could save your life.
"If you think your smear test may be overdue, don’t wait for your invitation – you can go along any time."
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Cervical screening checks for the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer.
The test, which takes about five minutes, identifies whether someone is at increased risk of developing the disease.
Steps can be taken to make the test more comfortable, with people encouraged to ask for a female staff member or bring someone along with them if desired.
Celia said: "If you’d feel more comfortable with a female nurse or GP, be sure to mention this when you make your appointment.
"You can ask to discuss cervical screening with the practice nurse before your appointment, or request a double appointment if you think you need a bit longer during your test.
"You could even take a friend or relative along, too, if you’d prefer."
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Celia also stressed that screening remains important even for those who have received the HPV vaccine.
She said: "The HPV vaccine protects against the main causes of cervical cancer, but it doesn’t protect against them all.
"So even if you think everything’s fine – and you’ve had your HPV vaccine – it’s still important to go for cervical screening."
To help raise awareness of the importance of cervical screenings, NHS Lanarkshire has produced three videos, including one for young women and two designed for Lanarkshire's South Asian communities.
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