Cervical cancer prevention week reminds Notts women to get screened

In a bid to raise awareness of the importance of regular screenings it’s time to remember that cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease, if caught early enough.

The campaign, led by Jo’s Trust, runs from Sunday January 25 to Saturday, January 31, aiming to raise awareness of the symptoms to look out for and ways to prevent it.

As many as nine women in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day and three women will lose their lives to the disease. Yet cervical cancer is largely preventable and, if caught early, the survival rates are high.

Dr Guy Mansford, chief clinical officer for NHS Nottingham West CCG said that the early stages of cervical cancer will not always present symptoms.

He added: “So screening remains the most effective way of identifying the disease.

“The test is quick and straightforward and has proven to save thousands of lives.”

But anyone experience the recognised symptoms - abnormal breathing, post-menopausal bleeding, unusual discharge, discomfort during sex and lower back pain, should see their GP.”

For older women, regular cervical screenings is the best way to detect any changes to cells at a very early stage, but each year the take-up of the invitation for screening is going down.

All women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five years.

For younger women, human papillomavirus vaccinations can help prevent seven out of 10 cervical cancers, and these are routinely given to girls across the country aged 12 and 13.

For more information visit: www.jostrust.org.uk