Analysis: Screening is matter of life or death - don't miss out

Published on Wednesday 6 April 2011 18:56

Every year in the UK, more than 2,800 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and nearly 1,000 will die from it. After breast cancer, it is the second most common cancer in women aged 35 and under.

But thanks to cervical screening and the vaccination against the human papilloma virus, women can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

Early detection and treatment can prevent 75 per cent of cancers developing but, like other screening tests, it is not perfect. It may not always detect early cell changes that could lead to cancer.

This is why it is essential to always attend screening when invited.

The important thing to remind women is that the cervical screening programme is estimated to save 5,000 lives a year in the UK and that they should take up their invitation for screening.

In Scotland, many women are still not taking up the screening invitation. The latest figures show 73.3 per cent of women in Scotland have been screened in the previous three years.

This rises to 79.5 per cent who have been screened in the previous five years.

But that still means that between 20 and 25 per cent of women are not taking up the offer to get screened. They are potentially putting their lives at risk.

If women find they may be suffering symptoms of cancer, such as abnormal bleeding and pain, between cervical screening tests, they should go to see their doctor straight away.

There are no symptoms for abnormal cells that are pre-cancerous; these may only develop once it becomes a cancer. So women should be alert to these possible signs and not wait until their next cervical screening invite before seeking help.

The vital message we want to get out there is to please not let any concerns you have about cervical screening put you off attending because, quite simply, screening could save your life.

The cervical screening programme has led to a dramatic reduction in the number of women diagnosed or dying from cervical cancer.

Women should make sure they do not miss an opportunity which could be a matter of life and death.

• Robert Music is director of Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.