Doctors urge women in Wiltshire to book cervical check-ups
There's a plea from doctors to 'help us help you'
NHS bosses are launching a new campaign, encouraging more women in Wiltshire to get screened for cervical cancer.
Women and people with a cervix are supposed to get checked every three years, once they are eligible.
But the latest figures from March 2021 show that 27% of eligible individuals in the South West – women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 - were not screened.
The new 'Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Saves Lives' initiative urges those who are eligible not to ignore their cervical screening invite. It also calls on individuals who missed their previous invite to book an appointment with their GP practice or sexual health clinic now.
Around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and approximately 690 women die from the disease – around two deaths every day.
Previous estimates suggest screening prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths, but 83% of deaths could be prevented if everyone attended regularly.
Embarrassment was the most common reason for not attending or missing appointments, followed by those who “kept putting it off” (34%) and “being worried it would be painful” (28%). 15% of lesbian or bisexual women over 25 had never had a smear test, compared to 7% of women over 25 in general.
The full findings from the new survey reveal for the South West:
• When asked about what their experience was like at their most recent test, almost two-thirds (61%) said they were nervous and more than two out of five (44%) said they were embarrassed
• The majority of women and people with a cervix (82%) said the nurse or doctor put them at ease during a cervical screening
• Positively, 54% of respondents were surprised about how quick the test was, and 92% would encourage others who are worried to get tested
• Around one in 10 (11%) don’t feel comfortable discussing a cervical screening with anyone, over half would talk to their friend (57%) or their partner (50%) and two in five would talk to their mother (39%)
• The majority (88%) said they were glad they attended a cervical screening
'We know that it can feel embarrassing'
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England, said:
"There is no doubt about it - cervical screening saves lives. By screening for risk signs at an early stage, it means that any abnormal cells can be treated quickly before they potentially develop into cancer.
"We know that it can feel embarrassing, or feel like something that you can easily put off, but accepting your invite and getting checked could save your life. And please do speak to your GP practice about any concerns you might have – we are here to help you".
'A few minutes that could save your life'
Dr Julie Yates, Lead Consultant for Screening and Immunisation for NHS England and NHS Improvement South West, said:
"Screening helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for a virus called high-risk HPV which causes nearly all cervical cancers.
"This is the best way to find out who is at higher risk of developing the cervical cell changes that, over time, could potentially lead to cervical cancer. Any cervical cell changes can be treated, preventing cervical cancer.
"Life can be very busy and it's easy to let your cervical screening appointment slip to the bottom of your 'to do' list, but it only lasts a few minutes. And it’s a few minutes that could save your life".
It is important for younger women and people with a cervix who have been vaccinated to still have their cervical screen.
The HPV vaccine is effective at protecting against some types of HPV but does not protect against all types of HPV. Therefore cervical screening is still important to help find high-risk HPV or changes to cervical cells early, so they can be treated before potentially developing into cervical cancer.