Cancer risk alert as women miss out on screening tests

HEALTH chiefs warned yesterday that thousands of women across North Yorkshire are putting their lives at risk by ignoring the dangers of cervical cancer.

More than 12,000 women throughout the county failed to attend a routine cervical screening appointment, or smear test, last year.

The primary care trust, NHS North Yorkshire and York, has seen a gradual decline in the uptake of cervical screening within all age groups, but particularly in women aged between 25 and 29. More than two-fifths of the women who missed their smear tests last year fell within this age group.

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A public health nurse at NHS North Yorkshire and York, Jill Wass, said: "Unfortunately many women who develop cervical cancer have either not been screened regularly or have not attended for follow up appointments.

"Cervical cancer can often be prevented so we encourage women who are eligible for screening and have never had a test, or who have put off having a test to make an appointment with their practice nurse or family planning doctor.

"The test takes just a few minutes and for the majority of women in North Yorkshire, they receive their result in just two weeks."

After breast cancer, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under. Each year in the UK, more than 2,800 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 1,000 women will die from the disease.

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Cervical screening is the most effective way of detecting abnormalities of the cervix.

An abnormal result is not unusual and about one in 20 women have test results that show some abnormality. It is extremely rare for these abnormalities to be cancer, but sometimes the changes can lead to cancer if early intervention is not taken.

Women are asked for their first smear test from 25 years of age, after which they receive an invitation every three years until they are 49. Between the ages of 50 and 64, women receive an invitation every five years.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, which is run by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, is continuing until Sunday, and more details are available at www.jostrust.org.uk or by calling 0207 936 7498.

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