Cervical Cancer Screening: Recent Findings
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (which connects the womb and vagina and is sometimes called the neck of the womb). Cervical cancer can affect anyone with a cervix at any age and is most common in women between the ages of 30-34. Every day in the UK, two women lose their lives to cervical cancer and nine more receive a life-changing diagnosis.
What are the key signs and symptoms of cervical cancer?
- abnormal vaginal bleeding (between periods, after sex, after the menopause or much heavier than is normal for you)
- changes to vaginal discharge (including a change in smell)
- pain or discomfort during sex
- unexplained pain in lower back or between hip bones
Cervical Screening Awareness Week
This year, Cervical Screening Awareness Week is taking place from 17 to 23 June and it highlights the importance of regular screening to try and increase attendance. A new survey (YouGov) has been commissioned by The Eve Appeal – the UK’s leading gynaecological cancer charity – and has revealed a lack of understanding about what a cervical screening test is for and a range of barriers to attending a screening appointment when offered it.
The key findings of this survey are that:
- 92% of UK females said they understand well what a cervical screening test is for
- But 58% wrongly thought that it was a detection tool, 25% thought it detected all gynaecological cancers and 26% thought it acted as a general gynaecological check-up
- Only 32% of UK females knew the screening test is to prevent cancer from developing
- 29% said they hadn’t attended a cervical screening because they didn’t want to have one, 27% because they had had a bad past experience and 16% because they didn’t have time
What is cervical cancer screening?
Cervical screening is a test offered to women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 to help prevent cervical cancer. It looks for HPV (the virus which causes nearly all cervical cancers) and any changes to the cells which can then be treated or monitored to prevent them developing into cancer.
Where can I get more information?
The Eve Appeal has put together some information and tips to help make cervical screening tests a bit easier.
Anyone can contact Ask Eve, The Eve Appeal’s nurse-led information service, for information and advice on gynae health, including HPV, cervical screening and follow up by emailing nurse@eveappeal.org.uk or calling 0808 802 0019.
