Cervical Cancer – Are you protected?

Written by Louise Hughes BSc (Hons) RN MBMAS MATACM (Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist)

Awareness of preventing cervical cancer has gone up in recent years, with the introduction of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for girls aged 12 and 13. Using condoms during sex can help to prevent the spread of the HPV virus. Around 3000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year and around 1000 women die annually as a result of cervical cancer.

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme is available to all women from the age of 25 and helps detect early changes in cells (pre-cancerous cells) which can be easily treated before further problems occur. The stage at which cervical cancer is diagnosed is an important factor in the prognosis for the patient. There are 4 stages of severity which are an indicator of how far the cancer has spread. Cervical cancer can affect any age group but is extremely rare in women under the age of 25, although there have been some high profile cases of cervical cancer in younger women recently such as celebrity Jade Goody who died at the age of 27 to cervical cancer.

With Cervical Screening Awareness Week on 13^th-19^th June it’s a good time to check whether you are up-to-date with our smear tests and to book an appointment with the practice nurse at your GP surgery to get checked if you aren’t. It’s really important to make sure you keep on top of your cervical screening as it really does make a difference!

With encouragement and support,

Louise x

To book an appointment with Louise please phone 01283 516444 (The Natural Healthcare Centre, Burton-on-Trent) or 01332 521270 (The Bridge Centre for Natural Health, Derby).

Resources

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust (2016) Cervical Screening Awareness Week. Available here.

NHS Choices (2016) Cervical cancer. Available here.