Too few of us are aware of the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, but there are around 3,200 new cases of it in the UK every year - that's nearly nine every day.
Despite a widespread drive to raise awareness, only 69.9% of eligible women between the ages of 25 and 64 took up the offer of free cervical screening in 2021-22. One in 142 UK females will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime, but it's important to know that almost all cervical cancer cases in Britain are preventable, says Cancer Research UK.
With this in mind, women's health expert Valentina Milanova, founder of Daye, a gynaecological health company, has spoken exclusively to the Mirror in an effort to answer some of the more commonly asked questions about the disease.
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What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is a gynaecological cancer that takes place in the cervix (the connecting organ between the vaginal canal and the uterus). Cervical cancer is the second deadliest cancer in women and assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals. This form of the disease is most frequently caused by a high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) strain. HPV can be passed on through sexual contact. If left undetected and untreated, cervical cancer can spread beyond the reproductive tract.
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What are the symptoms?
They can vary greatly. It's important to note that a lot of patients will not experience any symptoms at all. This is why it is very important to get a regular cervical screening (a smear test). Some of the most common indicators are:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods or after penetrative vaginal intercourse
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Unusual, persistent vaginal discharge
- Chronic pelvic pain and lower abdominal bloating
- Persistent fatigue and unexplained weight loss
What are the risk factors?
The three risk factors that increase your risk of cervical cancer most significantly include:
- Having a high-risk HPV strain, such as strain 16 and 18
- Not getting an NHS cervical screening (smear test) or HPV test regularly and therefore not detecting precancerous cells in time
- Smoking, which can weaken your immune system and make it more difficult for your body to fight off an HPV infection
How can I lower my chances of getting it?
The best ways to lower your risk of cervical cancer are:
- Always use condoms, even when in a long-term relationship, to minimise the risk of HPV infection
- Get vaccinated even if you are no longer a teenager. You can get the vaccine up to 45 years old and regardless of your sex
- Get a NHS cervical screening (smear test) every three years, or every year if you have a high-risk HPV strain
- Quit smoking - 21 per cent of cervical cancer cases in the UK are caused by smoking, according to Cancer Research UK.
How often should I be screened?
The frequency of cervical cancer screening depends on various factors, including age, previous screening results, and the guidelines specific to your country or region. In general, guidelines recommend the following:
- Start having NHS smears at the age of 25, and continue to have them every three years.
- Get HPV tests at the age of 25 and continue to have them every five years. Have them more frequently if a high-risk strain has been detected.
How can I get a cervical cancer screening?
To get a smear or an HPV test, schedule an appointment at your GP practice, with an OBGYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) or go to your local sexual health clinic.
Why is screening so important?
Cervical cancer screening is particularly important because the disease is highly preventable and can be detected at an early stage through regular checks. Once detected, the disease can be treated, and patients can retain their overall health and fertility.
What is the uptake of screening? Do many people not take the opportunity?
In some countries in Europe, cervical cancer screening uptake can be as low as 7 per cent. A study by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust showed that 80 percent of women who work full-time in the UK have been unable to get a convenient cervical screening appointment - and one in five have used their annual leave to attend their appointment. Studies by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) show that around 600,000 women in the UK are waiting for a smear test.
What can be done to encourage more people to get screened?
To make cervical cancer screening more accessible, we should invest in developing at-home detection methods that don't require women and AFAB (assigned female at birth) individuals to go into a clinic. Daye is currently working on developing an at-home HPV detection kit which will use a menstrual tampon to collect a patient's sample rather than an uncomfortable swab.
Investing in cervical cancer screening clinics on wheels that meet women at work or in a childcare setting would also increase rates of adherence. It's very important that we invest in education as well - not everyone has sufficient awareness about the importance of regular cervical cancer screening.
We need to raise public awareness about the importance of cervical cancer screening and its potential benefits. Society should be providing women with accurate and accessible information through various channels, including social media, TV, radio, and community outreach programs. We need to emphasise the effectiveness of early detection in preventing or treating cervical cancer.
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