Cervical Screening is important!

This week 6th-12th of June is Cervical Screening Awareness Week. Building awareness of the importance of cervical cancer prevention is of high priority as 20% of UK women do not attend their cervical screening appointments.

"Every year in the UK, over 2,800 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and nearly 1,000 women will die from the disease. After breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women aged 35 and under."

Cervical cancer, in 99.7% of cases, is caused by persistent infection from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is transmitted through skin to skin contact in the genital area. Up to 80% of people of reproductive age will be infected at some point in there lives as the infection is quite common but the majority of this will not result in cervical cancer.

These are huge statistics that more women should take note off, even in the Baba Me HQ there are ladies who did not realise how important this screening is. But a little bit of knowledge can go a long way and we are hoping that by spreading the word and encouraging more women to attend their screening more lives will be saved.

The cervical screening (smear test) itself is a method of examining cells from the cervix in order to detect abnormalities that might become cancerous in the future. It is over in seconds and with only slight discomfort. The results of screening allow changes in the cells of the cervix to be monitored. Screening can detect pre-cancerous/abnormal cells and the detection and successful treatment of these cells can often prevent cancer.

Please, please do not underestimate the importance of cervical screening. It may just save your life.