Latest news with #cervicalscreening
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Cervical screening saved my life,' says MLA
An MLA has said it was "shocking and really terrifying" when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in November 2023. Michelle Guy, who was 44 at the time and experienced no symptoms, said the cancer was only caught because of cervical screening. "It terrifies me to think if I was blasé about going for screenings, what that outcome could have been; how more developed things might have been when I realised that there was a problem," she said. An average of 81 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer each year between 2017 and 2021, with about 20 deaths per year, according to the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, which hold the most recent statistics. The Alliance Party politician hopes to use her platform to encourage women to go for cervical screening. "I'm relieved to have went through that process, relieved that the screening system worked for me; that it did find that cancer, and it did find it early," she said. The mother-of-two said her diagnosis came as "a huge surprise" as her previous smear tests had always came back clear of abnormalities. But a routine smear test two years ago showed there was "something wrong" which needed further investigation. "To find myself in that position was initially unnerving," she said. "But I was realistic that most people, they go through this, everything's fine. "That's what the screening process is for, to identify things early." A couple of weeks after having a colposcopy, while sitting in her kitchen, she received a "terrifying" phone call from the hospital asking her to come in, but not to come alone. "When you hear, don't come on your own, you know there's something wrong," she said. She was told she had cervical cancer. It was caught "at an early stage", which she said was a "relief", but it still led to months of anxiety until she completed treatment. Her treatment was a hysterectomy which she had in January 2024, while still working as a councillor for Lisburn and Castlereagh Council. "We got a level of reassurance that the hysterectomy would be a cure - that was the language that my oncologist used - that they intended this to be a cure," she said. "There isn't 100% certainty until you've had the procedure and all the different tests are complete, so I was just really anxious and determined to get it over with. "You want that operation as soon as possible because nothing's getting better while you're waiting. "I was lucky that it was contained and localised in a way that going through that surgery, as dramatic and painful as that is, I was very cognizant that things might have been worse had that diagnosis not come as early as it did." Cervical screening, while not a diagnostic test, is for people without symptoms and aims to detect early changes which could go on to develop into cervical cancer if left untreated. In some cases, cancer may be found. In December 2023, Northern Ireland introduced primary HPV cervical screening, although this was after Ms Guy's diagnosis. It checks for an infection called human papillomavirus (HPV) - the cause of most cervical cancers. This newer HPV test is regarded as a better indicator than cytology of identifying who is a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Through her diagnosis and treatment she continued to work in politics because, not only did she feel it was "vocational", it was also a "distraction". She said she had that "reflex to stay busy" and "wanted to get as far away from what I had been through as quickly as possible". "It's that sense of I was running away from it as opposed to necessarily processing it," she added. She said she also threw herself into experiences that she may not otherwise have done so, including replacing Sorcha Eastwood as the MLA for Lagan Valley just eight months after her diagnosis. Michelle understands that there is a lack of confidence around cervical screening, particularly after what happened in the Southern Trust when 17,500 women had to have their smear tests re-checked. "Of course [that] would shake anybody's confidence in our system here - that women were going forward for their smears, and they were being let down," she said. While she had kept her cervical cancer diagnosis private, she feels now is the right time to share her experience to "hopefully do some good" and encourage women to attend screenings. "Not going for it and then potentially facing a diagnosis that I had and potentially one that's much more serious - that you knew you might have been able to prevent had you taken the opportunity of a screening - I really feel that that is a message that I didn't want to shy away from anymore," she said. New cervical cancer infection screening launched 17,500 cervical smear tests to be re-checked
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Cervical cancer: Alliance MLA Michelle Guy says screening saved her life
An MLA has said it was "shocking and really terrifying" when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in November Guy, who was 44 at the time and experienced no symptoms, said the cancer was only caught because of cervical screening."It terrifies me to think if I was blasé about going for screenings, what that outcome could have been; how more developed things might have been when I realised that there was a problem," she average of 81 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer each year between 2017 and 2021, with about 20 deaths per year, according to the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, which hold the most recent statistics. The Alliance Party politician hopes to use her platform to encourage women to go for cervical screening."I'm relieved to have went through that process, relieved that the screening system worked for me; that it did find that cancer, and it did find it early," she mother-of-two said her diagnosis came as "a huge surprise" as her previous smear tests had always came back clear of a routine smear test two years ago showed there was "something wrong" which needed further investigation."To find myself in that position was initially unnerving," she said."But I was realistic that most people, they go through this, everything's fine."That's what the screening process is for, to identify things early." A couple of weeks after having a colposcopy, while sitting in her kitchen, she received a "terrifying" phone call from the hospital asking her to come in, but not to come alone."When you hear, don't come on your own, you know there's something wrong," she was told she had cervical was caught "at an early stage", which she said was a "relief", but it still led to months of anxiety until she completed treatment was a hysterectomy which she had in January 2024, while still working as a councillor for Lisburn and Castlereagh Council. "We got a level of reassurance that the hysterectomy would be a cure - that was the language that my oncologist used - that they intended this to be a cure," she said."There isn't 100% certainty until you've had the procedure and all the different tests are complete, so I was just really anxious and determined to get it over with."You want that operation as soon as possible because nothing's getting better while you're waiting."I was lucky that it was contained and localised in a way that going through that surgery, as dramatic and painful as that is, I was very cognizant that things might have been worse had that diagnosis not come as early as it did." What is cervical screening? Cervical screening, while not a diagnostic test, is for people without symptoms and aims to detect early changes which could go on to develop into cervical cancer if left some cases, cancer may be December 2023, Northern Ireland introduced primary HPV cervical screening, although this was after Ms Guy's checks for an infection called human papillomavirus (HPV) - the cause of most cervical newer HPV test is regarded as a better indicator than cytology of identifying who is a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Through her diagnosis and treatment she continued to work in politics because, not only did she feel it was "vocational", it was also a "distraction".She said she had that "reflex to stay busy" and "wanted to get as far away from what I had been through as quickly as possible"."It's that sense of I was running away from it as opposed to necessarily processing it," she said she also threw herself into experiences that she may not otherwise have done so, including replacing Sorcha Eastwood as the MLA for Lagan Valley just eight months after her diagnosis. 'Hopefully do some good' Michelle understands that there is a lack of confidence around cervical screening, particularly after what happened in the Southern Trust when 17,500 women had to have their smear tests re-checked."Of course [that] would shake anybody's confidence in our system here - that women were going forward for their smears, and they were being let down," she she had kept her cervical cancer diagnosis private, she feels now is the right time to share her experience to "hopefully do some good" and encourage women to attend screenings."Not going for it and then potentially facing a diagnosis that I had and potentially one that's much more serious - that you knew you might have been able to prevent had you taken the opportunity of a screening - I really feel that that is a message that I didn't want to shy away from anymore," she said.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cervical screening is changing – here's what the new 5-year test means for you
Smear tests are nobody's favourite, but they're a vital part of healthcare. Now, the way you're tested for HPV is changing. From July, invitations for cervical screening will be sent out every five years instead of every three for women aged 25-49 in England. Those with positive tests will still be required to have more regular check ups to make sure the HPV is clearing and no cell changes have occurred. HPV (human papillomavirus) causes almost all cervical cancers. However, most cases of HPV do not develop into the disease and are removed naturally by the body. Recent updates to HPV testing makes it more accurate, allowing less frequent testing to take place, according to the NHS. It says the changes are part of a 'more personalised' approach to testing that's in line with 'major clinical research'. It's also rolling out bookings via the NHS app, though letters will still be in place for those need them. This change to screenings has already made in Scotland and Wales, and follows the cervical screening recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent body of experts who review screening evidence and advise the four UK governments. While it may sound scary to hear you'll be tested less frequently, cancer charities are on board with the move. Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, says: 'We welcome this change to cervical screening in England, which is the result of years of vital research to make screening more effective and has shown it is safe to extend the time between tests. Screening, alongside the roll out of the HPV vaccine, which Cancer Research UK scientists helped develop, have seen cervical cancer rates drop by around a quarter since the early 1990s, and we look forward to even more progress.' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive officer at The Eve Appeal, added: 'Every single case of cancer that can be prevented, should be, and this new guidance is good news for those at low risk because they will no longer need to go for cervical screening as often. Everyone should feel informed and supported when they are invited to go to their cervical screening appointment and understand these interval changes and why they will keep them protected.' Cervical screening is to test for symptomless cases of HPV. If you notice any changes that are unusual for you, or experience symptoms including unusual vaginal bleeding, changes to discharge, painful sex or pain in your abdomen, lower back or pelvic area, don't wait for your smear – talk to your GP right away. You Might Also Like 13 Buys To Help You Feel Great From £5 16 Speedo Swimsuits that Won't Flash Your Bum When Getting Swim-fit 11 Best Gym Trainers for Different Types of Workouts
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Cervical screening changes set to start in Jersey
Patients in Jersey will receive a more personalised cervical screening service from July, health bosses have Government of Jersey said it would be following recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee due to more accurate human papillomavirus (HPV) testing being screening detects HPV - the type of infection which is the main cause of cervical changes meant patients deemed to be at a low risk of cervical cancer would be tested less frequently, the government added. From July, women or people with a cervix who are aged 25 to 49 and test negative, or have previously tested negative for HPV and therefore at low risk of cervical cancer, will be invited to screenings at five-year intervals rather than three, the government whose samples indicated the presence of HPV, or had a recent history of HPV, would continue to be invited to more frequent screenings, it Fiona Nelson, clinical lead for cervical screening, said the new HPV test picked up problems earlier than older screening Nelson added: "The HPV test is an objective test which means the sample is not dependent on a person looking at cells and making a judgment and this means there are fewer missed cases."
Medscape
7 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
NHS England Extends Cervical Screening to 5 Years for Many
From July, women in England aged 25 to 49 who test negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will be invited for cervical screening every 5 years instead of every 3 years. NHS England said the updated screening schedule would provide women with a more personalised approach based on individual risk. The change follows a recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee and aligns with the current schedule for women aged 50 to 64 in England, as well as screening programmes in Scotland and Wales. Evidence Supports Longer Interval NHS England highlighted that studies have shown that people who test negative for HPV are extremely unlikely to develop cervical cancer within the next decade. Research led by King's College London and published in The BMJ in 2022 found that 5-yearly screening for HPV-negative women was as safe as 3-yearly screening. The study reported no difference in the number of cancers detected and confirmed that less frequent testing was needed. Women who test positive for HPV, with or without abnormal cell changes, will continue on shorter recall. Those with no cell changes will be invited for re-screening in one year, while HPV-positive women with cell changes will be referred for colposcopy. Women will continue to follow the recall schedule advised at their last screening. Only those screened on or after 1 July and meeting the criteria will move to the 5-year interval. Screening Based on Personal Risk Cervical screening was first launched in the UK in 1964. Since 2019, all cervical screening samples collected in England have been tested for high-risk HPV, which is more accurate than the previous method of cytology testing. Cervical cancer is the 14th most common cancer in the UK, with around 3300 new cases each year – nearly all of which are caused by HPV. Since 2008, girls in school year 8 have been offered a vaccine against certain strains of HPV. The programme was extended to boys in 2019. Evidence shows that the vaccine has reduced cervical cancer rates by 90% in England. In Scotland, there have been no recorded cases among vaccinated women since the schools' programme was introduced for girls in 2008. Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'Screening, alongside the roll-out of the HPV vaccine, has seen cervical cancer rates drop by around a quarter since the early 1990s.' Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women's health, said: 'Taking a more personalised approach to cervical screening will help ensure everyone eligible can make the most of these life-saving services, while sparing women appointments that they don't need.' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of The Eve Appeal, said: 'This new guidance is good news for those at low risk, because they will no longer need to go for cervical screening as often.' Digital Reminders Aim to Boost Uptake The NHS has introduced digital invitations and reminders for cervical screening through the NHS App, as part of a new 'ping and book' service to boost uptake. Eligible women will first receive a notification through the app to alert them to book a screening appointment. If not opened, a follow-up text message will be sent. Paper letters will still be used for those who need them. The 2023-2024 NHS Cervical Screening Programme annual report for England found that 68.8% of women aged 25 to 64 were screened within the recommended timeframe, a slight increase from 68.7% the year before. Coverage was highest among women aged 50 to 64 (74.3%) and lowest among those aged 25 to 49 (66.1%). Louise Ansari, chief executive of Healthwatch England, welcomed the move to digital invites. 'Nearly half of the women we polled last year said the ability to book screenings via the app would make them more likely to attend future appointments,' she said.
