This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (22nd to 28th January 2024).
This important campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of cervical cancer and educating people about it, its prevention, and the importance of regular screenings.
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a cancer that is found anywhere in the cervix. The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the womb and is part of the reproductive system.
It mostly affects women under the age of 45 but anyone with a cervix can get cervical cancer.
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
It is a largely preventable cancer, as changes in cells can be detected through cervical screening before they turn into cancer. Cell changes are easily treated.
Cervical screening
Cervical screening is a way of preventing cervical cancer.
Very early-stage cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms. It is usually found and treated because of cervical screening tests.
The first part of the screening is to have a smear test. The smear test looks for pre-cancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
If you are a trans man or non-binary person and have a cervix, you should have screening too. If you are registered as male with your GP you may not be sent an invitation.
Macmillan Cancer Support has more information and support for LGBT1+ people affected by cancer on their website.
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
Each year, more than 3,200 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and very sadly, two people die every day from cervical cancer in England.
NHS England has pledged to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 by making the HPV vaccination more accessible and by increasing the uptake of cervical screening. This year, the theme of the campaign is encouraging women to accept NHS screening invites.
The Cervical Cancer Prevention Week Campaign is therefore a vital way of continuing to get people talking about cervical cancer and feeling comfortable with knowing the signs, symptoms, and screening options.
It is vitally important to continue to educate and raise awareness of cervical cancer, since the statistics continue to demonstrate that uptake of cervical screening could be improved. 1 in 4 people do not attend their screening tests.
It is vital that you:
- Attend cervical screenings when invited.
- Know the symptoms to look out for of cervical cancer.
- Seek medical advice if you are experiencing symptoms.
- Know where to find support and further information.
A good starting point to find out more about cervical screening on the NHS website here.
The importance of early diagnosis
Cervical cancer is largely preventable with early detection of changes before cancer develops.
It is vital that people accept their invites for screening and know the symptoms, but it is essential that, if pre cancer cells are detected, or if cervical cancer has developed, action is taken swiftly to move to treatment.
Cervical cancer can be so much worse if there is a delayed or missed diagnosis.
How can Nelsons help
Danielle Young is a Legal Director in our Medical Negligence team, which is ranked in Tier One by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500.
If you have any questions about the subjects discussed in this article, please contact Danielle or another team member in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
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