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19th January 2012
Don’t forget your cervical screening test – Cervical Cancer Awareness Week 22 – 28 January 2012
Women aged 25 - 64 are being urged to take up their regular cervical screening tests during Cervical Cancer Awareness Week.
NHS Sussex say that around 20% of women locally did not take up their invitation for cervical screening last year.
Cervical screening nurse consultant Jenny Greenfield said:
“As always, regular screening is the most effective way of finding a problem early and preventing a cancer from developing".
"Cervical screening can prevent around 75% of cancer cases in women who attend regularly. Many who develop it have never been screened. So you could say the biggest risk is actually not having the regular screening tests.”
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). The majority of sexually active women will come into contact with high risk types of HPV at some time in their life. In most women, their body's own immune system will get rid of the infection without them ever knowing it was there. Only a minority who are positive for high risk HPV types will develop cervical abnormalities which could develop into cervical cancer if left untreated.
Screening begins at 25, with invitations for screening repeated every 3 years until the age of 49, and then every five years between the ages of 50 and 64 years old.
Jenny said:
“HPV is a very common infection and up to 75% of people of reproductive age will be infected with it at some time in their lives. For the majority of women it won’t cause a lasting problem but every year in the UK, over 2,800 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 1,000 women will die from the disease so screening needs to be taken seriously.”
Screening is offered by GP practices and sexual health clinics.
Notes for editors
The percentage of eligible Brighton and Hove women who, at the end of December 2010, have had an adequate test in the preceding five years was 75.9%.
The percentage of eligible East Sussex women who, at the end of December 2010, have had an adequate test in the preceding five years was 79.9%.
The percentage of eligible West Sussex women who, at the end of December 2010, have had an adequate test in the preceding five years was 79.5%.
For more information contact:
Jamie Whitburn
Communications Manager
NHS Sussex
Tel 01273 403595 / Mob 07826 918808