The 17 – 23rd of January was cervical cancer prevention week. Cervical cancer is highly preventable with recent data showing the HPV vaccine is cutting cases of cervical cancer by nearly 90%.
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by a high risk HPV virus. This sometimes causes changes in the cells in the cervix which may develop into cancer.
Cervical screening helps detect if you carry the high risk HPV virus and if there are any changes to cells in the cervix. HPV is common, 8 out of 10 people will have it during their lifetime so having the high risk HPV virus doesn’t necessarily mean you will develop cervical cancer. But if screening picks up you do have it, you can be monitored and treated before the virus becomes cervical cancer.
Cervical screening is important even if you have had the HPV vaccine as the vaccine doesn’t protect against all types of HPV. If you are nervous about going for screening, please talk to your medical practitioner as they will try to make you as comfortable as possible. The procedure only lasts a few minutes but could save your life. There are sadly around 850 people who die from cervical cancer a year so please make sure you attend your screening when invited. We also offer cervical screening here at The Surrey Park Clinic, so please get in touch if you’d like to book. You can book on-line (link in bio) or call 01483 454 016.