24-30th January 2016
Cervical cancer prevention week
Author: Professor Joyce Harper
This week is cervical cancer awareness week. This is one cancer where over 80% can be prevented with a well organised cancer screening programme.
In almost all cases it is caused by sexual transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV). About 80% of sexually active people will get HPV at some point but in the majority of people it does not lead to cervical cancer.
I have recently written a detailed section on cervical cancer on our web site.
Cervical screening involves taking a few cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope to test for changes which might develop into cervical cancer in the future. Cervical smears can prevent up to 75% of cancer developing.
Recent advancements in vaccines against HPV are highly effectively when given to adolescents and can reduce cervical cancer rates even further. To increase awareness of the vaccination, Disney princesses have been shown getting their HPV vaccination.
But with all this screening and vaccination – cervical cancer is still the most common cancer for women under 35. In the EU every year, 60,000 women get cervical cancer and 30,000 die from it. In the UK 3000 women a year are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Why are these numbers so high – it’s because in some countries, the screening and vaccination programmes are not working properly as some women do not know about the programmes.
So if you have not had a smear test for several years, go and get one now to be sure you are OK. But also check with your friends and make sure they are up to date with their smear and that all girls are vaccinated.
Read More:
http://www.globalwomenconnected.com/cancer/
http://www.ecca.info/prevention-week/the-cervical-cancer-prevention-week
Image credit: http://www.jostrust.org.uk/
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This has made me think as I am not sure when my last smear was. I will be making a phone call on Monday. In the UK it is free – we have no excuse.
I just find it difficult to see why women put this off? I had my first one two years ago, I will be due my next one in October and I will be pro-actively booking it. When I had mine, it was over in about ten minutes, hurt briefly with the speculum, but otherwise was absolutely pain free, and no trouble at all. I felt so pleased afterwards that I’d gone and done it and would do it any day in preference to an injection!
Please, anyone that reads this, book yours today. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t.
I have just booked mine. I know I have not had one in at least 5 years or more. Thanks. No excuses!