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BBC News
17-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Welton cancer survivor says smear test change risks lives
A woman who is in remission from cancer says she fears a change in how often women are offered smear tests could put lives at risk. From July 2025, women in England aged 25 to 49 will be invited for cervical screening every five years, instead of every three. Donna Bradbury, 42, from Welton, Lincolnshire said: "In the space of two-and-a-half years, I went from a clear smear to a 6cm (2.4in) tumour and stage two cervical cancer. So, if I had to wait any longer, it's scary to think what could've been."NHS England said "robust scientific evidence" had shown screening every five years was as safe as every three years, and it wanted to spare people appointments they did not need. Ms Bradbury said all her previous screenings were clear but she developed symptoms, including irregular bleeding, after her last one. The mother-of-three said she was six months away from her next smear but she pushed for tests as she felt something was wrong."When I got told it was cervical cancer, it was a huge shock," she said. "You just think about your children, don't you. You think about the worst case scenario. But it was the worry because obviously my one-and-a-half-year-old would not remember me. It was a very scary time."Ms Bradbury, who was diagnosed in 2020, said she was worried extending the time between screening tests could mean some people going undiagnosed for longer."Five years seems a long time," she said. "There's going to be a lot of people whose diagnosis are going to get missed because of this." 'Really have confidence' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of gynae cancer charity The Eve Appeal, said more than 40% of women in England were worried being screened less often is not safe. However, Ms Lamnisos said: "Science has moved on a great deal. The test has moved on considerably. There have been huge trials done around the efficacy of this."The test has become more sensitive and efficient so there are lots of reasons to really have confidence in this change." The move to five-year intervals brings England into line with Scotland and Wales. Women aged between 50 and 64 are also offered cervical screening every five years. NHS England said the change was based on a recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee."The NHS cervical screening programme tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) and uses a better and more accurate test than before. This means if you test negative for HPV, you don't need to be screened as often as your risk of developing cervical cancer is very low. If you test positive for HPV, we'll monitor you more closely with additional tests and follow-up appointments."This personalised approach ensures everyone receives the right level of screening based on their individual risk factors, providing better protection while reducing unnecessary procedures."Ms Bradbury said she is hoping to get her "five year clear" in November."I often think to myself, when I'm having a bad day, there's people out there that would give anything for my bad day. So I just feel really lucky," she said. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Wiltshire woman's life "saved" after smear test detected cancer.
A woman who put off having a smear test "for years" has said finally deciding to go for the appointment "saved her life". Joanne Male from Chippenham, Wiltshire, attended her smear appointment last October and a follow-up procedure confirmed she had cervical 40-year-old said: "It's easy to ignore the screening letters… [but] If I hadn't had that smear test I can't imagine what situation I would be in now as I had no symptoms."She hopes her story encourages more women to have the test when first invited, and to raise awareness of the work of Cancer Research UK (CRUK) in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. According to the NHS England Cervical Screening Programme, between 2023-2024, three in 10 people in the South West were overdue for their cervical her options Ms Male chose to have a hysterectomy as she "wanted to make sure there was no chance of my cancer returning" then received the news she was cancer-free on Christmas Eve."I'm painfully aware had I left it any longer, it could have been a very different story," said the mum of one. CRUK said it believes barriers to screening include women previously finding cervical screening painful, or worrying about it being painful and not wanting a man to carry out the screening have also reported being too embarrassed about going for cervical screening and some assume they are not at risk of cervical cancer, a spokesperson Male, who works in a jewellers, said: "You never think cancer will happen to you.""But screening only takes a couple of minutes and there's always time to fit in an appointment for something like this that can change your life," she two in four people currently surviving cancer for at least 10 years, CRUK is working to accelerate progress towards three in four people surviving their cancer by 2034, they Male said she is so grateful to CRUK and the cancer specialists and feels "so lucky to be here to enjoy so many more precious moments with my loved ones," she added. What to look out for Most common symptoms of cervical cancer include:Unusual vaginal bleedingPain or discomfort during sexVaginal dischargePain in the area between the hip bones (pelvis)Not everyone diagnosed with cervical cancer will have symptoms. That's why it is important to attend regular cervical Cancer Research UK
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
28-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'I believe routine smear test saved my life'
"If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't be here to tell my story."Toni Smith from Eastwood, in Nottinghamshire, went for a routine smear test when she was 28-years-old and believes doing so saved her screening is for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cervical cancers, and women between the ages of 25 and 64 are offered it every few more than five million women are not up to date with the test, according to the government. Just 68.8% of women currently take up the offer of cervical cancer screening - well below the NHS England target of 80%.Toni told the BBC that after going for a routine smear test, HPV was found and she was later diagnosed with cervical cancer in February 2019. The mother-of-two was later offered a range of treatments by the NHS and chose to have a hysterectomy. 'Please, just go' The 36-year-old was in remission for five years until July last year when she got the all said: "I think my reflection is life is only a proportion of what goes on if you don't attend."It's uncomfortable, but that's going to save your life – it saved mine."Toni urged women to attend cervical screening and added: "Please, please just go."NHS England has now announced from January, a test which can be done at home that contains a long cotton-wool bud to swab the lining of the vagina, will be said she thinks the concept is an "amazing idea" and added: "The home testing kits gives that benefit to the woman, you haven't got to go somewhere, you don't have to feel uncomfortable, it's done in your own time."The Department for Health and Social Care in England said the scheme would tackle "deeply entrenched barriers" that keep women away from cervical can be due to embarrassment, discomfort, lack of time as well as religious or cultural concerns.A recent trial showed the rollout of home test kits across England could increase the proportion screened to 77% over three years.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- 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
