Health want women to get "savvy" about cervical cancer

Thursday 23 January 2014

Early detection of cervical cancer "could save your life" says one of the Island’s leading Gynaecologists.

This week is European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and the Island’s Public Health team wants to raise awareness of the importance of regular smear tests and the possible symptoms of the disease, which kills a couple of people in Jersey every year. Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Fiona Nelson is confident these deaths could be preventable and is urging women to have regular smear tests which help to prevent eight-out-of-ten cervical cancers from developing.

Dr Nelson said: “We want women in Jersey to become more savvy about cervical cancer and to know how to protect themselves. Cervical screening, otherwise known as a smear test, is the most effective way to detect changes in the cells of the cervix. The test looks, not for cancer, but for pre-cancerous abnormalities at an early stage. Without a smear test, these changes could be undetected, as women may not have noticeable symptoms and may look and feel healthy."

Cervical screening is offered to all women in Jersey aged between 25 and 64. To arrange a smear test, women can either book a screening appointment at their GP surgery or with the Cervical Screening Service at Le Bas Clinic.

Dr Nelson said: “More than nine out of ten women will have a normal (negative) cervical smear result. If you have an abnormal result it doesn’t mean that you have cancer, but you may need another test or appropriate treatment. Early detection really could save your life, so I would urge women to attend for regular screening."

She also wants more women to be aware of symptoms that should prompt them to consult a doctor. She said: “Often women don’t have noticeable symptoms associated with abnormal cells and even with early stage cervical cancer. However, there are some symptoms that women should be aware of, although it should be noted that such symptoms can be associated with many other conditions that are not cancer related. The symptoms that could be associated with the disease are abnormal bleeding after or during sexual intercourse, or between periods; post-menopausal bleeding; unusual or unpleasant smelling vaginal discharge and discomfort or pain during sex."

The Health team are also using this week to highlight the value of the HPV vaccination which they say will help protect future generations of women.

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.

Dr Susan Turnbull, Medical Officer of Health, said: “Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Before HPV vaccine was available, UK research showed 1 in 5 sexually active women aged 16 to 18 years in the UK were infected with HPV types known as type 16 and 18, which are responsible for causing over 70% of all cervical cancers."