Cervical screening appointments typically take just ten minutes, yet for many, they can cause worry. Despite millions of attendees annually, some miss out on these potentially life-saving screenings.
Free cervical screenings are offered by the NHS to women and individuals with a cervix aged 25 to 64. The NHS states, “Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect you from cervical cancer, and it’s your choice if you want to go for it.”
The Lady Garden Foundation reports that almost 100% of cervical cancer cases are preventable, emphasizing the need for awareness and funding for gynaecological cancers.
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Jenny Halpern Prince MBE, Charity Chair and Co-founder of the Lady Garden Foundation, stressed the importance of overcoming barriers to increase the uptake of these life-saving screenings. “Up to 99.8% of cervical cancer is preventable,” she said, urging all eligible individuals to attend their appointment.
Understanding the apprehension many may feel, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential risks of not attending these screenings, especially considering that cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35 years old. Proper knowledge of what to expect can alleviate some of this apprehension.
John Butler, Consultant Gynaecological Oncology Surgeon at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and Medical Director of The Lady Garden Foundation, provides insight into what occurs during a cervical screening appointment.
The Lady Garden Foundation, a national gynaecological health charity, was established in 2014, funding research into the treatment of various gynaecological cancers at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.
A spokesperson for the foundation emphasized the urgency of the situation: “Today, and every day, 60 women in the UK will receive the life-changing news of a gynaecological cancer diagnosis, and 21 people will die from one of these cancers. Many symptoms are ‘silent’, often leading to late diagnoses.”