Pitchfest Winner Valentina Milanova at Rewired 2026

Why It Matters

Improving cervical screening can dramatically cut preventable deaths and healthcare costs, bringing the UK in line with global best practices.

Key Takeaways

• Cervical cancer remains second deadliest female cancer worldwide.
• UK screening fails to meet 80% target across all regions.
• Pitchfest win aims to boost HPV and pap smear testing.
• Other nations have more comprehensive cervical screening programs than UK.
• Goal: partner with NHS to improve engagement and outcomes.

Summary

Valentina Milanova, the Pitchfest winner at Rewired 2026, used her platform to spotlight the urgent need for better cervical cancer screening in the United Kingdom. Her presentation highlighted that cervical cancer, though entirely preventable, remains the second deadliest cancer among women worldwide, and that the UK currently fails to achieve the 80 % screening coverage target across all Integrated Care Boards and Primary Care Networks.

Milanova cited stark data: no ICB or PCN meets the national benchmark, and compared the UK's fragmented approach to the comprehensive programs in Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and Slovakia. She argued that the disparity represents a public‑health failure, especially given the availability of HPV testing and pap smears that can detect disease early.

She called the situation “a disgrace” and urged the NHS to partner with her venture to redesign outreach, leveraging technology and community engagement to drive higher testing rates. By winning Pitchfest, she hopes to secure funding and policy support to scale these interventions nationwide.

If successful, the initiative could raise screening participation to the 80 % goal, reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality, and align the UK with international best practices, delivering both health and economic benefits.