Cervical Cancer Prevention Week - What Women Need To Know
Cervical cancer has attracted much media coverage in recent years, largely because of Jade Goody’s sad death from the disease, and yet in the run up to Cervical Cancer Prevention Week in 2011 20% of women in the UK fail to attend cervical screening when invited.
A recent survey published by The Eve Appeal gynaecological cancer research charity ‘What Women Know – Report on Awareness Levels of Cervical Cancer amongst Women in England’ indicated that awareness levels of cervical cancer amongst nearly 1400 women of 16 and over were also worrying low.
Each year in the UK 2,800 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed – more than half of these are in women under the age of 50. It is the second most common cancer in women under 35 however is very rare in women under 25.
During Cervical Cancer Prevention Week The Eve Appeal aims to arm women with the knowledge to protect themselves against the disease and to encourage the three stage prevention plan.
Almost all cases of cervical cancer can be prevented by screening and HPV vaccination.
Stage 1 – HPV Vaccination
If you are under 18, get vaccinated. The HPV vaccination is the best way to help protect yourself against developing cervical cancer.
In more than 70% of cervical cancer cases, the cause is infection with one of two strains of HPV (human papilloma virus) which can be prevented by immunisation.
Stage 2 – Cervical Screening
Because the HPV vaccine does not protect against all cervical cancers, it is still vitally important for all women to have cervical screening – more commonly known as a smear test - later in life.
Cervical screening in England is offered to women over the age of 25.
Stage 3 – Know the facts
Know the signs and symptoms and if you experience any, tell your doctor.
Says Gemma Byrne of The Eve Appeal “The earlier cervical cancer is diagnosed, the better the outcome will be, so even if women have been vaccinated and had regular screening, none of these is 100% effective so women owe it to themselves to be aware of the early warning signs”
With support from the Department of Health, The Eve Appeal has been working to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and has published a series of information materials called ‘What women need to know… about cervical cancer’ including a leaflet; postcard and DVD of five fabulous women talking about cervical cancer screening, vaccination and signs and symptoms.
“Our hopes are that the publication of these materials on cervical cancer will give women clear and concise information on the warning signs and symptoms of the disease; provide them with the advice they need to reduce their risk of contracting cervical cancer and encourage them to seek medical help sooner than they might otherwise have done.”
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