The Healthy Blogger

UK should lower age of cervical cancer screening

I was surprised to hear that the UK does not screen for cervical cancer until age 25. Previously, I had mentioned that Pap smears are recommended at 18 or when the woman first becomes sexually active. This is the case in the US. Apparently, the NHS does not feel there is enough evidence to support screening for the disease earlier than 25.

The NHS now fear that Jade Goody’s case will scare women into thinking that they need it earlier. That seems to be the case as many health charities are pleading with the NHS to change their stance on this. The NHS has pointed out that many young women have abnormal tests which turn out to be nothing, but which can cause unnecessary emotional distress. On such grounds, they oppose having the tests earlier. Are they saying women can’t cope with the distress? Shouldn’t it be up to the woman to decide whether she wants that distress or not? If she wants to take that risk, the NHS should allow it to her and pay for the test.

Sexual promiscuity is a leading factor in cervical cancer. Not necessarily that the woman has multiple partners (although that can be the case), but that she is sexually active at a young age. HPV, the human papillomavirus, is a sexually-transmitted virus that comes in many forms. Many of these forms can cause changes in the cervix as a result of the infection, which can lead to cervical cancer. The more sexually active, the more likely you will get the infection.

We know that not all women remain virgins until they marry at the ripe old age of 30. So, why not have the test available to those women who are sexually active but younger than 25? It might save their life in the long-run.

Jade Goody brings cervical cancer to forefront

Jade Goody has been getting a lot of attention due to her metastatic cervical cancer. I never watched Big Brother, so I was completely unaware of her celebrity status. And although I resent these minor celebrities getting more than their 15 minutes worth of fame, I do feel for this woman’s pain. Most of all, I feel for her children. Just as I would if I had known her story personally, rather than publicly. As one commentator noted in a recent paper, if she could give attention to a serious medical condition, for which many women would like to ignore, then Ms. Goody’s life has been worthwhile. I hope she realises that.

Getting a Pap smear is extremely humiliating and uncomfortable for most women. In fact, I do not know anyone who looks forward to it. It is worse than the digital rectal exam – and men really deplore that. But the Pap is absolutely necessary for every woman, starting when she becomes sexually active or age 18, whichever is first. Though there is a vaccine for HPV, the virus that is responsible for many cervical cancers, it is not absolute protection, and young women need to be aware of this. For those who are not sexually active or at low risk of cervical cancer, experts recommend that they do not need annual Paps, but may decrease it to every 3 years. That is welcome news. However, if there is ever any abnormality, the frequency needs to be increased.

Unfortunately, when there is even a hint of bad news, most people like to run shy. It appears Ms. Goody is like many other women in this respect. But, hopefully, others will now learn that they need to investigate potential problems and face up to the consequences earlier than later. I admit that I’m one of those who have avoided getting a Pap for years. However, I have been lucky that I have never had an abnormal one. Still, it’s time I take the step and get back into the doctor’s office.