Cervical Cancer Prevention Week – get involved!
One in three people nationally do not attend cervical screening (smear tests) and this is something health organisations are campaigning to change.
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week runs from January 17-23, and as part of this, health partners are spreading information about cervical cancer and how it can be prevented.
Women in Barnsley are actually among the best in the country for attending cervical screening appointments. According to NHS Digital, 75.7 per cent of eligible women in Barnsley aged between 25 to 49 were screened from April to June this year as were 77.1 per cent of eligible women aged between 50 and 64. The younger age group ranked as 20th highest out of the 333 local authorities in England, with 30,929 screened out of an eligible 40,864.
It’s estimated that cervical screening saves around 5,000 lives each year. Screening appointments had been cut in the early stages of the Covid pandemic and local MPs urged the government to do more to cope with demand.
Andrea Parkin, Head of Nursing at Barnsley Healthcare Federation said: “Cervical screening is a free health test available on the NHS as part of the national cervical screening programme. It helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for a virus called high-risk HPV and cervical cell changes. It is not a test for cancer.
“All women aged between 25 and 64 are invited for cervical screening every three to five years depending on their age. Being screened regularly means that any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix can be identified at an early stage and if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing.
“It’s important that women attend screening appointments. In Barnsley our aim is to make appointments more accessible for all women. Screening appointments are available across GP Practices and at our iheart365 service, on evenings, and weekends. This helps more women get appointments to suit their busy lives.”
Barnsley has made screening a priority and has invested in even more cervical screening clinics. Chapelfield Medical Centre in Wombwell now offers convenient evening clinics on Tuesdays between 630pm and 10.30pm, and weekend clinics between 9am and 5pm (depending on demand). Patients can be referred to these clinics via their own GPs.
Barnsley GP practices have made determined efforts to get people in and tested and this has been reflected in the figures. In addition, 11-18-year-olds can take up the offer of an HPV vaccination.
Barnsley is now looking at more work with people who have a learning disability to ensure they are comfortable in coming forward and receive a good experience.
The UK’s leading cervical cancer charity, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, says cervical cancer prevention doesn't stop at screening. 220,000 people every year are told they have cervical cell changes after their screening, and many more are given a diagnosis of Human papillomavirus (HPV) which can be linked to cell changes and cervical cancer. This can mean more tests such as colposcopy - an examination to take a closer look at the cervix.
Health services want everyone to have the information and support they need, share tips, facts, and most importantly help others know they aren't alone.
Getting involved is simple
Share tips just like Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust volunteer Amy
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More information about cervical cell changes: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/information/abnormal-cells/cin-and-cgin
Find support, resources and further information at: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cervical-cancer-prevention-week