Almost 4 MILLION women miss crucial cervical cancer screening tests

ALMOST four million women are missing cervical cancer screening tests.

 

Almost four million women are missing cervical cancer screening tests

 

A study found 3.7 million women are failing to attend the preventative examination, while the UK now has one of the worst survival rates of cervical cancer in the developed world. 

The research, carried out by cancer charity Jo’s Trust, discovered a third of 25 - 29 year olds are not attending screening and overall a quarter of all women - 3.7 million - are failing to. 

Cases of cervical cancer, which led to the high profile death of Big Brother star Jade Goody in 2009, are also the highest since 1999, with three women dying every day from the disease.

 

Adeola Olaitan, consultant gynaecologist at University College London said: “Part of the problem is that for so many women having a screen is inconvenient and may mean they have to miss half a day of work to do it when essentially they feel well. 

“Women put it off and put it off, until before you know it, a year has gone by. Most cervical cancer cases are preventable. I would urge all eligible women to get regular screening tests.” 

Latest annual figures show the number of cases reached 2,639, a six per cent rise on the previous year while 300,000 UK women are diagnosed with cervical abnormalities each year.

 

Research shows a third of 25-29 year olds are not attending screening

 

Cervical cancer claimed the life of Jade Goody (pictured)

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease and we cannot afford for incidences to keep rising

Robert Music, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust

 

Robert Music, Chief Executive, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “Cervical cancer is a preventable disease and we cannot afford for incidences to keep rising.

"It is a matter of urgency we see positive actions to turn around the downward trend in cervical screening uptake and we are urging policy makers and health professionals to increase investment in targeted approaches to tackle barriers to screening for women of every age, ethnicity, location and circumstance.”

Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said: “Cervical cancer can be prevented….But we know many women, particularly younger women, are not accepting their invitation to be screened. I encourage all eligible women to make that important choice and have their smear test when invited.” 

Carrie-Anne Aldridge, a hospital secretary from St George, Bristol, was diagnosed with cervical cancer when she was 26, after her GP decided to carry out tests after she complained of tiredness and some abnormal bleeding.

Ms Aldridge, now 33, had not considered she might have cancer. She recalled: “It didn’t cross my mind. I had had a smear test the year before which was clear and I didn’t have a clue what was wrong.”

  

300,000 UK women are diagnosed with cervical abnormalities each year

 

Within two weeks her GP had referred her for specialist investigations which discovered a cancerous tumour on her cervix. Ms Aldridge, who had a nine-month old baby son when she was diagnosed, was given a hysterectomy followed by hormone replacement therapy. 

“It was a whirlwind and it all went so quickly. But many people don’t realise the long term complications of cancer. I went into early menopause after my hysterectomy and have to take hormone replacement. Your life completely changes.”

Ms Aldridge now campaigns for Jo’s Trust and wants more tests to be offered to women and for more women to take them up: “If I had waited three years for another test I wouldn’t be here today. I know how quickly cancer can grow.”