Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
Did you know cervical cancer can be prevented? The tools are available to make cervical cancer a thing of the past. HPV vaccination, cervical screening, and treatment for cell changes can all help prevent it but we need to increase awareness and uptake.
What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (which connects the womb and vagina and is sometimes called the neck of the womb). Cervical cancer can affect anyone with a cervix at any age but the incidence is highest women between the ages of 30-34.
In the UK we have a very successful cervical screening programme which is estimated to save over 4,000 lives each year. Anyone with a cervix can develop cervical cancer, this includes trans men and non-binary people with a cervix. Cervical cancer often shows no symptoms, until it is in it's advance stages, which is why it is so important to attend your cervical screening appointments.
Preventing cervical cancer
- Take up the offer of the HPV vaccine, if eligible
- Attend your regular cervical screening (smear test)
- Don't smoke. (Women who smoke are about twice as likely as those who don't smoke to get cervical cancer. Tobacco by-products have been found in the cervical mucus of women who smoke.)
Alice, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer says: ‘I was only 28 when I was diagnosed and didn’t see screening as a priority. I had no symptoms until I had to go to A&E for a massive bleed which led to my diagnosis. I actually had two pelvic ultrasounds for another issue I had with my ovaries a few months before and thought ‘well if that hasn’t picked it up then I’m fine’. I went on to be diagnosed with stage 1b cervical cancer in December 2018, my tumour was 4cm. I’ve had two major surgeries, chemotherapy and weeks of radiotherapy. At least some of these, if not all, could have been avoided if I had made time for my cervical screening. I would urge everyone invited to go.”
Facts and tips for cervical screening from the Eve Appeal.
Eve Appeal support line
If you have questions or just want to chat about gynaecological cancer prevention, symptoms or treatments please call 0808 802 0019 –which is free to call from landlines and mobile phones within the UK and does not appear on itemised bills – or get in touch via email nurse@eveappeal.org.uk.
