Public Health England (PHE) has launched a major new national campaign ‘Cervical Screening Saves Lives’, to increase the number of women attending their cervical screening across England.
We actively support this campaign as around 2,600 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year, and around 690 women die from the disease, which is two deaths every day.
PHE estimate that if everyone attended screening regularly, 83 per cent of cervical cancer cases could be prevented.
New research from PHE shows that nearly all women eligible for screening (90 per cent) would be likely to take a test that could help prevent cancer – and of those who have attended a screening, nine in 10 (94 per cent) would encourage others who are worried to attend their cervical screening.
Despite this, screening is at a 20-year low, with one in four eligible women (those aged 25 to 64) in the UK not attending their test.
At Harrow Healthcare, we have a laboratory on standby which provides very rapid answers and undertakes to report all cervical screenings within 10 working days.
Screening, which only takes a few minutes, identifies potentially harmful cells and if done regularly they can be found before they become cancerous, ensuring women get the right treatment as soon as possible.
Professor Anne Mackie, Director of Screening Programmes at PHE said: “The decline in numbers getting screened for cervical cancer is a major concern as it means millions of women are missing out on a potentially life-saving test. Two women die every day in England from cervical cancer, yet it is one of the most preventable cancers if caught early.
“We want to see a future generation free of cervical cancer but we will only achieve our vision if women take up their screening invitations. This is a simple test which takes just five minutes and could save your life. It’s just not worth ignoring.”
There’s been a low uptake for cervical screenings for a number of reasons, some women are nervous or embarrassed about attending their appointment, whilst others struggle to find the time to organise their appointment towards their work and personal life.
At the Harrow Health Care Centre, we offer the choice of appointments that are convenient for you and also have female doctors who are trained to make women feel more comfortable and talk them through the process.
Call us today at 020 8861 1221
Email us at [email protected]
