Cervical Cancer - proposal to lower screening age rejected

Total Health | June 26th, 2009

The Department of Health has announced a new drive to ensure GPs spot cervical cancer symptoms earlier in young women and refer patients correctly. The immediate actions include:

New guidance on the management of young women with gynaecological symptoms and an audit of young women diagnosed with cervical cancer.
An awareness campaign for GPs and practice nurses.
An audit of all young women diagnosed with cervical cancer looking at their symptoms prior to diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have..
Expand work to increase screeningA way to identify people who may have a certain condition, among a group of people who may or may not seem to uptake in women aged 25 to 34.

The Committee were unanimous in their decision not to lower the screening age below 25. They say this decision was taken because scientific evidence shows that screening women in this age group can do more harm than good.

Here's how the Times reported the announcement.

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Cervical Cancer

Expert articles

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Gynaecological cancers are not common, particularly in the UK. If we add all the gynaecological cancers that occur each year together, they account for less than half of the cases of breast cancer. However, women may be concerned about the possibility of gynaecological cancers because, unlike breast cancer, the gynaecological organs are not easily visible. It is therefore important for women to be aware of the various screeningA way to identify people who may have a certain condition, among a group of people who may or may not seem to programmes for gynaecological cancers that exist and to also be aware of the symptoms so that the disease can be detected early where full cure is usually possible.

What is the real value of screening for Cervical Cancer?

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University College Hospital London, The Harley Street Clinic

Many patients emailed us their questions after reading Adeola Olaitan's article on Cervical Cancer. Here are just a few of them together with Adeola's responses.

Treatment of Cervical Cancer

By Dr Adeola Olaitan, Consultant GynaecologistContact
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Cervical cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. should be treated in a specialist unit known as a cancer centre. A team of experts, known as a multidisciplinaryRelating to a group of healthcare professionals with different areas of specialisation. team, will be involved in your care. The doctors who look after this disease are gynaecological oncologists (surgeons) or clinical oncologists (radiotherapyThe treatment of disease using radiation. experts). Other members of the team include a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNScentral nervous system or MacMillan Nurse), and a psychologist who are available to support you and look after your social and psychological needs throughout treatment and beyond. Not all hospitals have this expertise available and you may have to be referred from your local hospital to a cancer centre.

Diagnosing Cervical Cancer

By Dr Adeola Olaitan, Consultant GynaecologistContact
University College Hospital London, The Harley Street Clinic

The cervixAny neck-like structure; most commonly refers to the neck of the uterus. is the lower part of the wombThe uterus.. It is sometimes referred to as the neck of the womb. Cervical cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body., is the second most common cancer in women world-wide, second only to breast cancer and in some developing countries, it is the commonest. An estimated half a million women are diagnosed with cervicalRelating either to the cervix (the neck of the womb) or to the cervical vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine). cancer each year, approximately 80% of whom are in the developing world. About 300 thousand women die of this condition every year.

Self-HPV test could screen for cervical cancer

Total Health | January 27th, 2012

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Get tested for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

Total Health | January 23rd, 2012

What better time is there to arrange your smear test than during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week? The awareness week was started by the European Cervical Cancer Association due to ineffective prevention programmes in many European countries and the fact that “..the vast majority of women in Europe still know little about cervicalRelating either to the cervix (the neck of the womb) or to the cervical vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine). cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. or what they can do to prevent it…”

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Cervical Cancer - proposal to lower screening age rejected

Further Information

Latest Health News

Text Size

Cervical Cancer - proposal to lower screening age rejected

An Overview of Gynaecological Cancers

What is the real value of screening for Cervical Cancer?

Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Diagnosing Cervical Cancer

The Importance of Cervical Cancer Screening

Self-HPV test could screen for cervical cancer

Get tested for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

Further Information

Latest Health News