The number of women diagnosed or who die from cervical cancer would fall dramatically should uptake for cervical screening increase, even by just a few per cent, according to new research.
Health on Female First
UK charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust calls for more investment in targeted awareness campaigns at the start of Cervical Screening Awareness Week this week.
Numbers of UK women attending cervical screening are now falling year on year with an annual uptake of 78.3% across all eligible age groups in England. This number drops to just 62% for women aged 25-29 and 72.7% for women aged 60-64.
New data shows that if screening increased to 85% - a figure close to the 82.5% uptake in 1998 - there would be a 14% drop in numbers diagnosed with cervical cancer in just one year. If 100% attended annually, incidence could decrease by 35% in just one year and deaths would halve over five years. If 85% coverage were to be achieved deaths from the disease could still drop by a staggering 27% over five years.
Robert Music, Chief Executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said: “Cervical cancer is an unusual cancer because it can often be prevented, yet the numbers of women being diagnosed has reached its highest level since 1999, which would seem to directly correlate with the downward trend in screening uptake. This report clearly shows that if we could achieve just a small percentage increase in screening uptake over the next few years, the resultant impact on both women facing a diagnosis and numbers dying could be dramatically reduced from thousands each year to just a few hundred.
“However if screening uptake continues to fall this will lead to a rise in the number of women being told they have cervical cancer. We see daily how devastating the impact of a diagnosis can be financially, physically and emotionally. It’s now paramount that all those who can help turn this around – government, policy and health influencers both locally and nationally, GP’s and employers – work together to help make this a disease of the past.”
It is important to understand that cervical screening is not screening for gynaecological cancers, rather for abnormal cells on the cervix which can lead to cervical cancer.
Abnormal cells on the cervix don’t usually have any symptoms, which is why it is so important to go for screenings regularly. If there are signs of abnormal cells, treating them is often simple and can prevent cancer developing.
Robert Marsh, CEO of The Eve Appeal comments: “Our hopes are that increased awareness around the importance of regular screening, along with further understanding as to what the screening is set out to detect, will help dispel any outstanding myths and encourage women to attend their cervical screening promptly when invited.”
Professor Julietta Patnick, Director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, said: “It’s important women realise that attending their cervical screening appointment is the best preventative measure they can take to avoid cervical cancer. Cervical screening can help detect abnormalities, which if left untreated, could develop into cervical cancer at a later stage. Screening saves 4,500 lives in England each year and that’s why we strongly encourage women to accept their cervical screening invitation.”
To reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer:
- Go for screening when invited
- Have the HPV vaccine if you are offered it
- If you smoke, try to stop
- Use a condom to reduce your risk of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.
39-year-old Michelle Roe, a cervical cancer survivor from Belfast said: “I was diagnosed with stage 2B cervical cancer after delaying attendance of screening for several years. Due to the cancer being more advanced and having spread to my lymph nodes I underwent a hysterectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The impact on my life has been devastating. I’ve suffered bowel and bladder damage, infertility, lymphoedema and have gone through early menopause.
“If I had known what I know now; that cervical screenings could not only save your life, but also prevent you from developing cervical cancer and going through invasive treatment, I would not have hesitated to keep up with my screenings. I implore all women to make the appointment especially if overdue.”
Tagged in cervical cancer Women's Health