Number of cervical cancer screenings drop during pandemic
Women in North Yorkshire are being urged to not miss their smear tests because of covid
Last updated 21st Jan 2021
It's believed around 350,000 women did not attend vital cervical cancer screening appointments in the last twelve months.
The figures from Cervical Cancer Awareness charity Jo's Trust believe one in four women didn't go for their smear tests when invited.
New research conducted by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust during the pandemic has found that 32% of women would prefer to take an HPV self sample, than attend cervical screening with a clinician. Rising to 62% if it was easy and reliable.
As part of Cervical Cancer Awareness Week (18-24 January) charities are calling for home tests to be rolled out to those who are worried to visit their GP or hospital during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cervical screening attendance has been largely falling for the last two decades. Before the pandemic began, one in four women and people with a cervix did not attend when invited
With NHS pressures, paused programmes across the UK during the early months of the pandemic and increased hesitancy about the test, charities warn that the true picture of attendance is now likely much lower.
But Yorkshire Cancer Research are assuring all steps are in place to make appointments as covid secure as possible.
Amy Deptford, Policy Officer at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said:
"It is completely safe for women to be able to go at get their smear tests. Doctors, nurses and other hospital and GP staff are taking every step to make it safe.
"Staggered appointments are happening to provide social distancing, your nurse will wear PPE, you'll be asked to come alone to your appointment and wear a mask.
"There are so many signs which could point towards having cervical cancer or precancerous cells.
"If you have bleeding outside of a period, bleeding during or after sex, an aching pain between your hips or any pain during sex, you shouldn't wait for your next screening appointment and you definitely shouldn't miss a scheduled appointment because of the pandemic.
"At Yorkshire Cancer Research we would fully support at home testing if it would make sure that women do get their smears done and don't miss appointments. These tests can save lives."