NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is backing Cervical Screening Awareness Week, which runs from 17-23 June, urging anyone invited to attend regular screenings for cervical cancer.
There are around 2,700 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in England every year, but we can make this a thing of the past thanks to cervical screening and the HPV vaccination.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme helps to save thousands of lives every year by checking for high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all cervical cancers.
Cervical screening is the most effective way of preventing cervical cancer, however, a lack of knowledge about the cause of cervical cancer and who can be affected seems to be contributing to some women not attending cervical screening. More information about when you will be invited for cervical screening can be found here: When you’ll be invited for cervical screening – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Therefore, raising public awareness of cervical cancer prevention is a priority for the NHS. Public knowledge and understanding of issues such as cervical screening, the causes of cervical abnormalities and cervical cancer and treatment is generally low.
Although rarer there are some recognised symptoms associated with cervical cancer which women are advised to be aware of:
- Abnormal bleeding: during or after sexual intercourse, or between periods
- Post-menopausal bleeding: if you are not on HRT or have stopped it for six weeks
- Unusual and/or unpleasant vaginal discharge
- Discomfort or pain during sex
- Lower back pain
Dr Sunil Hindocha, GP and Medical Director for NHS Lincolnshire ICB said:
“I can’t stress enough the importance of women having regular cervical screening. If you have received an invitation for cervical screening, please don’t wait. Call your GP practice to book an appointment as soon as possible. Also, if you missed your last cervical screening, book an appointment with your GP practice now – it is not too late.
“During the early stages, cervical cancer will not often have any symptoms and the best way for it to be detected is through screening. Any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix can be identified at an early stage and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing. Prevention is the key to improving survival rates and cervical screening will save lives.”