Latest news with #cervicalscreening
The Guardian
11-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Pain relief is available for gynaecological procedures – so why isn't it used?
Your article about oesophageal cancer (NHS pharmacies to pilot 'sponge on a string' test to spot cancer precursor, 9 July), reminds me of the recent one about poor uptake of cervical screening (One in three across UK are overdue for cervical cancer screening, 20 June). You cite embarrassment and pain as major barriers to improving screening, but the misogyny of healthcare is of crucial importance. Women wait months to see gynaecologists then are given no pain relief for painful procedures. They put up with this as they don't want to be put back in a queue. There is access to topical lidocaine spray and entonox, and it should be routine. Having just retired after 43 years as a women's health nurse and midwife, my practical tips for women are: always ask for a small speculum dipped in water. They are less painful and water does not alter results (GP surgeries seem to use long speculum as routine. I never found one necessary, sizing down is the key to finding a cervix). Never agree to put your hands underneath you to help the practitioner. This is a red flag for a wrong-sized speculum, especially if the woman has a retroverted uterus. You don't have a problem, the practitioner does. Please get screened, but expect kindness as a basic SewellPrinces Risborough, Buckinghamshire Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cervical screening: Campaign group 'no further forward'
A campaign group have said they feel "no further forward" following a briefing on the Cytology Screening Review at a health committee meeting on with Letters was set up after a major review of cervical screening was announced in the Southern Health October 2023, BBC News NI revealed about 17,500 women in Northern Ireland are to have their smear tests re-checked as part of a major review of cervical screening dating back to Department of Health (DoH), Public Health Agency (PHA) and Southern and Belfast Health Trusts appeared before Stormont's health committee. "No one has taken accountability for the scandal that happened over 13 years and, as a group, we still have many questions that remain unanswered - how did this happen, why did it continue for 13 years and who is going to take responsibility?" the campaign group said. Expert opinion on reports nearly completed In December 2024, two reports were published by the Southern Health Trust and PHA following the cervical cytology health committee heard that an expert opinion of these reports, a peer review report by NHS England and several patient learning reviews are nearly will be published "imminently" in August or Ladies with Letters said in a statement that the delays were "adding to the frustration and disappointment felt by many of the ladies we are in contact with".They said they "cannot understand why a statutory public inquiry has not already been initiated" and that the more they heard today, "the more it seems that the whole cervical screening system is in disarray"."Our firm view is that in order to learn lessons for the future and to restore public confidence in the Cervical Screening Programme in Northern Ireland, we need to establish the full, unvarnished facts of what has happened."This will only happen through a statutory public inquiry which has the power to compel witnesses and evidence from all relevant stakeholders, and more importantly, allow those affected by the scandal to have a voice," they said. Enda McGarrity, solicitor for the Ladies with Letters said the failures that have occurred have been on an "unprecedented scale".He said the group have engaged with the health minister on these issues for more than a year and they have "waited long enough"."Their request is a simple one - the minister should without further delay establish a statutory public inquiry with full powers to compel evidence, witnesses and which places those who have suffered most at the heart of its work," he said.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Campaigner fears longer waits between smear tests could 'cost lives'
'WE can't afford to take a step backwards' – a Warrington woman is pushing back against longer waits between cervical screenings that could 'cost lives'. Leanne Jones, who lives in Padgate, was scrolling on her phone when she came across a social media post from Warrington and Halton Hospitals Trust. This post shared the announcement from the NHS that cervical screenings for women aged 25 to 49 will now be every five years for those who test negative for HPV, starting in July. Cervical screenings, also known as smear tests, is a test to prevent cancer which takes a sample of cells from the cervix. Women between the ages of 25 and 49 are currently invited to have a screening every three years if 'high risk' HPV's are not found in the cells. Leanne, 37, is someone who has to attend smear tests more regularly after an abnormality was found at a screening, and she is also someone who lost a family member to cervical cancer. She now feels that the five-year gap between appointments could leave more women at risk of developing cancer. 'It just doesn't seem right,' she said. 'It's played on my mind ever since because I have to go every six months for check ups. This is something that has happened over the last two years after never having any issues before. 'My personal experience has shown there can be a lot of changes in a two-year period.' Leanne (left) feels the gap between tests could mean cancer is left undetected for longer (Image: Supplied) Leanne's family member had her screening delayed by Covid, which meant any abnormalities went undetected for longer. Sadly, she died at just 40 years old. 'She went through hell,' said Leanne. 'It was horrendous. She was a young woman with kids to leave behind and it could have been avoided. 'A delay is a delay – whether it's caused by Covid or a longer wait between appointments.' For many women, smear tests can be intimidating and Leanne believes that extending the wait between appointments only exacerbates the nerves women may feel, and may mean some decide not to go at all. 'It's a scary thing, for so many women,' she said. 'When you go more frequently, it does make it less daunting. 'But, if it's less frequent, then it does make it look less important – people might think 'I just won't go at all'.' Despite her concerns, Leanne does think that there have been great steps taken by the NHS to help prevent cervical cancer, such as the HPV vaccine. However, she feels this progress is negated by the increase of time between appointments, calling it 'mixed messages'. 'I can't find one person that thinks it's a good idea,' she said. 'There are still women dying every year from cervical cancer. They've not cured it. 'They've obviously done a lot with the HPV vaccine, so they're doing a lot of positive things. But I feel while there's still people who haven't had the vaccine and there's still variables to it seems too soon to jump to five years. 'Everybody I speak to seems to have the same opinion - that it's going to cost lives by risking those longer intervals.' Read more Mobile clinic to offer cervical screening tests in Warrington Boyfriend, dad and friends of woman who fought cancer twice team up for big challenge New £11 million health centre that aims to reduce waiting times has officially opened Leanne has now launched a petition on to try and reverse this decision. 'We cannot afford to take a step backwards in women's healthcare,' she said. 'My story can't be unique. It can't just be me and my loved one that have had these experiences. 'I don't think my petition is going to change the world, but I've got nothing to lose by trying and by talking about because there are people who aren't here to talk about it themselves.' The change will commence tomorrow, Tuesday, and has followed a recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee, and it is already the approach used for women aged 50 to 64 in England. Those whose sample indicated the presence of HPV, or have had a recement history of HPV, will continue to be invited to more frequent screenings. 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. 'The NHS is following robust evidence on how often women need to be safely screened, and by putting invitations and reminders straight in women's pockets on their phones, we're making it easier than ever to take up screening appointments. 'Make sure you come forward for your screening when you're invited, even if it was weeks, months or years ago. If you think you are due but have not yet had an invitation, speak to your GP practice."
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cervical cancer survivor concerned over screening changes
A woman who survived cervical cancer says she is concerned about changes to cervical screening that come into effect today. Cervical screening tests are currently offered to 25-to-49-year-olds every three years. That is now being extended to five-year intervals. The time between tests for those aged 50 to 64 is already five years. The NHS said research had shown screening every five years was as safe as every three years, and it wanted to spare people appointments they did not need. However, Crystal Manuel from Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, is worried it might impact on early detection of the disease. Mrs Manuel, a 42-year-old mother of two, was diagnosed in 2021. Although her previous screening test was clear, she developed symptoms between tests. An initial examination did not find anything but when her symptoms persisted, she pressed for a follow-up appointment. She was immediately referred for a biopsy, which confirmed she had cervical cancer. Mrs Manuel's mother died after she was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus. "When I first got that diagnosis I was really worried, I was really scared because I thought of my mum and I thought of how she passed away three months after her diagnosis," she said. "And the first thing that came into my mind was 'my children are too young not to have a mother and I have to fight this'… fortunately due to early detection I wasn't at such a higher stage as my mum was."Mrs Manuel underwent treatment including a hysterectomy, intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It was successful - and four years on she is cancer free. She believes her persistence in pushing to have her symptoms investigated meant the cancer was caught early. However, she is worried that extending the time between screening tests could mean some people are left undiagnosed for longer."Personally I think five years is a long time... leaving it another 2 years, I think it's too long and I think it prevents early detection, which I know is crucial." The NHS said the changes were based on research showing the five-year interval was just as safe as a three-year interval. The screening test checks for the presence of the human papillomavirus or HPV. Some types of HPV can cause changes in the cervix that can develop into cancer. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are linked to high risk HPV. The five-year interval only applies to those who test negative for HPV while those who test positive will be subject to follow up checks. Dr Charlotte Hutchings is a GP in Bramley in Hampshire and also a clinical director at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight. 'Never a 100% guarantee' She said the change should not impact on early detection because those at highest risk would be tested more frequently."Because the test is checking for HPV, if you have that test and it's negative we know the chances of you developing cancer within the next 10 years are very, very low," she said. "If the test is positive, that puts you in a higher risk group and that's when we look at the cells to see if there are any abnormal cells and if there are you'll get treatment at a hospital very quickly. "If the cells are normal but you do have the HPV positive test... we'll be checking you even more regularly and you'll get a repeat every year until the body clears it."However, despite the screening, and the introduction in 2008 of vaccinations against HPV for school age girls, which was extended to boys in 2019, Dr Hutchings said being aware of symptoms was still vital. "It's never a 100% guarantee so even if you've had your vaccination it's still really important to come through for your screening because there are some people who won't respond to the vaccination," she said. "And, likewise, even if you've had your screening and your vaccination, if you have symptoms of pain or discharge or bleeding, particularly in between your periods at abnormal times, it's really important to get checked out at your surgery." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
28-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Mother launches petition over changes to cervical cancer screening
Gemma Barley, whose family has a history of cervical cancer, discovered abnormal cells during a routine three-year check-up, despite her previous screening being clear. She is worried about new NHS England guidelines that extend cervical screening intervals from three to five years for women aged 25-49 who test negative for HPV. Ms Barley, a mother of one, fears these extended intervals could endanger women's lives, citing her own experience where abnormalities appeared quickly between screenings. She has launched a petition to reverse the changes, arguing that rapid cellular changes necessitate more frequent monitoring. NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have defended the new guidelines, stating they are based on robust scientific evidence and the increased accuracy of HPV testing.
