European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week runs from 22nd to 28th January, and provides an opportunity to raise Wiltshire women’s awareness of what they can do to reduce their risk of getting the disease, including vaccination and screening.
About 2,900 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK each year. It is the most common cancer in women under 35 years old and over half of all cases are diagnosed in women under 50. Every year in Wiltshire six women die of the condition.
Cervical cancer is a preventable disease.
“Cervical cancer is unique in that we already know exactly what we have to do to prevent almost every case; effective vaccination and screening programmes could virtually eliminate cervical cancer”, said Sarah Weld, Public Health Registrar for NHS Wiltshire.
Cervical screening is an essential part of cervical cancer prevention. “It is important that all women are included in cervical screening, even those who have had the HPV vaccine as it does not protect against all cervical cancers”, said Sarah Weld.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme aims to prevent cervical cancer by detecting and treating cervical abnormalities before they cause problems. Every year over 20,000 women in Wiltshire are invited for screening. Women age 25 to 50 are invited for a smear test every three years and those aged 50 to 64 every five years.
“Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer in a woman's cervix.”
It is estimated that early detection and treatment can prevent up to 75% of cervical cancers. Despite this, last year in Wiltshire around 20% of women did not take up their invitation for screening. NHS Wiltshire is currently undertaking a project to explore why some women don’t attend for screening.
Younger women are particularly likely to miss their screening appointment.
“This is a cause for concern; nationally there has been an increase in the incidence of cervical cancer in women aged under 35 since the late 1990s. Over this time there has also been a steady fall in the coverage in women of this age group. High profile cases, such as the tragic death of Jade Goody in 2009, show how important it is to go for a screening appointment every time you are offered the opportunity”.
Sarah Weld added: “NHS Wiltshire is supporting Cervical Cancer Prevention Week because we want to encourage women to go for their smear test. The procedure may seem a bit embarrassing, but it should only take 10 minutes and it could save your life.”
Almost all cases of cervical cancer occur in women who have been previously infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is spread during sexual intercourse and is thought to be very common; an estimated 1 in 3 women will develop a HPV infection within two years of starting to have regular sex.
Not all women infected with the HPV virus develop cervical cancer. There are additional risk factors that affect an individual’s chance of developing the disease including smokingand having a number of sexual partners, particularly from a young age, and not using a barrier method of contraception such as a condom.
Since 2008 there has been a national programme to vaccinate girls aged 12 to 13 against the human papilloma virus (HPV). The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against the two strains of HPV (16 and 18) that cause 70% of cervical cancer in women. The programme consists of three injections that
should ideally be given over a period of six months. It is delivered through secondary schools free-of-charge.
There are a number of actions that women can take to protect themselves against cancer:
- Practice safer sex – use a barrier method such as a condom to prevent HPV infection.
- If you or your daughter is aged 12-13 years ensure that you are vaccinated against the HPV virus. This is being offered to all girls of this age in Wiltshire free of charge.
- Do not smoke, as smoking increases your chances of getting cancer.
- Attend your screening appointment. All women aged 25-64 who are registered with a GP are regularly sent invitations to attend for screening. Any woman who has not had a recent test should talk to their GP or local family planning clinic.
