Cancer screening results in a lucky escape

Dec 12 2009 by Hannah Davies, The Journal

Since reality star Jade Goody’s death more women are being screened for cervical cancer. Hannah Davies speaks to one whose early cancer detection not only saved her life, but also means she can still have children in the future.

“All of that could have been prevented by an early smear. That’s the brutal simplicity of this disease.”

To get a smear test call your GP.

To find out more about cervical cancer visit www.cancerhelp.org. uk/type/cervical-cancer

For information on the HPV vaccine for girls visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk/ Vaccines/HPV

CERVICAL CANCER

The number of eligible women undergoing cervical screening increased by just under 400,000 in 2008/09, says the Cervical Screening Programme 2008-9 report.

That shows the number of women aged 25 to 64 being screened rose by just under 12% last year, and a rise from 78.6% to 78.9% in the previous five years.

Chief executive of the NHS Information Centre Tim Straughan said: “The report shows that just under 400,000 more eligible women underwent cervical screening last year than in the previous year.

“This is a welcome boost in numbers which follows media personality Jade Goody’s highly publicised battle with the disease.

“It means more women are now up-to-date with their cervical screening test than last year, the first rise since 2002.

“It also shows that women are getting their test results quicker.”

DOCTOR’S ADVICE

DR Naik, clinical director of the Northern Gynaecological and Oncology Centre, is an expert on cervical cancer.

He says: “We are very lucky in this country in that our screening programme is renowned around the world.

“It is estimated it saves around 4,000 lives every year.

“The programme actually prevents cancer. Something like breast cancer screening can catch it in the early stages. But a smear test can actually prevent a person from getting cancer. This is why smear tests are so important for women.

“Cervical cancer peaks in the 35 to 45 age group but to get pre-cancerous cells its a few years before that.

“Some of the women it effects simply think they are too young to get cancer and ignore the letters asking them to come in for a smear.

“Last year more women came in for tests, largely due to the publicity surrounding Jade Goody. It shows the importance of keeping awareness high.”