Cancer screening figures still "a bit pants" compared to the UK

Wednesday 04 February 2015

Fewer women most at risk of developing cervical cancer are getting screened for it than in the UK.

The Health department says 66% of women aged 25-64 are having regular smear tests – 10% fewer than in the UK.

Women of all ages can develop the disease although it’s more common in sexually active women aged 30-45.

The Head of Healthcare Programmes in the Island Dr Linda Diggle says the department is struggling to keep track of who is eligible for screening because they don’t know who has just moved over or where they live.

The condition is very rare in women under 25 but the good news is that more younger women are being screened than on the mainland – 73% of women aged 25-29 are having regular tests, that’s 10% more than in the UK. Once they have had one test the department can them send out reminders to make sure they don’t forget when the next one is due.

Dr Linda Diggle said: “We want to encourage all women aged 25 to 64 to attend for screening. Such testing enables us to detect abnormalities at an early stage – such early detection cuts the risk of these abnormalities developing into cervical cancer.

“Once women have enrolled onto the programme, either at the age of 25 or after they have moved to Jersey or returned to the Island beyond this age, they will be automatically recalled every three years, or every five years after they reach 50. Screening appointments then become a matter of routine, and play a valuable role for any woman who wants to look after her own wellbeing.”

Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and since 2008 12 and 13 year old girls in Jersey have had free access to the same HPV vaccine that the NHS offers to girls in the UK.

Health say this week – Cervical Cancer Prevention week – and the “What’s pants but could save your life” campaign act as a reminder for women to call their GP or Le Bas Centre and make an appointment to get screened. They say no one loves having a smear test but early detection could save your life.