The Importance of Cervical Cancer Screening

Published June 7th, 2011 | Last updated May 16th, 2012

Dr Adeola Olaitan, Consultant Gynaecologist, feels strongly that women should take the responsibility for looking after their own bodies seriously by attending for regular smear tests to screen for 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..

Expert articles by Dr Adeola Olaitan

An Overview of Gynaecological Cancers

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

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.

The links between diet, obesity and endometrial (womb) cancer – diagnosis and treatment

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

Endometrial cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. is cancer of the lining of the wombThe uterus. and it is the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK. It is most common in post-menopausalAfter the menopause - technically only once a woman has had no menstrual period for one year. women aged 50 to 60 years, although approximately 7% of cases are in younger women.

Endometrial cancer is much more common among women who live in the developing world, particularly Europe and North America compared with women who live in less developed countries. This is likely to be because endometrialRelating to the endometrium. cancer is linked to obesityExcess accumulation of fat in the body., with obese women three times as likely to get this disease as women who have a body weight in the healthy range. A healthy balanced diet and an active lifestyle can help to reduce the risk of this cancer.

Vaccination against the Human Papilloma Virus

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

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPVAn abbreviation for human papilloma virus, a sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and may also have a role in the development of various cancers.) or Wart Virus as it is more commonly known is a family of virusesMicrobes that are only able to multiply within living cells. that can infect humans. The viruses are divided into sub-types according to their characteristics. There are over 100 subtypes of HPV. Most do not cause significant disease in humans. However, some subtypes, notably types 16 and 18, 31 and 33, have been confirmed as agents which cause 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.. These sub-types, known as 'High risk' HPV (HR HPV), have been found to be present in close to 100% of all cervical cancers. Of the different types of HPV, types 16 and 18 cause about 7 out of 10 (70%) cancers of the cervixAny neck-like structure; most commonly refers to the neck of the uterus.. Most of the remaining 30% of cervical cancers are associated with other HR HPV types.

What is the real value of screening for Cervical Cancer?

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

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.

Recent news

Private gynaecologists and minimally invasive care

Total Health | March 1st, 2012

The two areas of medicine where there is a thriving private sector in the UK include gynaecology and orthopaedics. There are many reasons for this, but patient demand for speed and extra levels of personal care are the key drivers.

What are the causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding?

Total Health | February 13th, 2012

Abnormal menstrual bleeding can result due to a number of conditions such as uterine fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus., polypsGrowths on the surface of a mucous membrane (a surface that secretes mucous), lining any body cavity that opens to the outside of the body., adenomyosis of the wombThe uterus., thickening of the womb lining or, rarely, endometrialRelating to the endometrium. or 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.. How can you know whether your irregular or heavy periods are a symptom of something more serious?

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