Don’t take a chance with cancer

Dr Helen Lewis-Parmar, Consultant in Public Health at NHS HMR

Nearly a quarter of women in the Rochdale Borough are risking cervical cancer by ignoring regular cervical screening tests.

Health chiefs at NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (NHS HMR) are urging women to have cervical screening after more than 1800 women snubbed invitations last year.

Women in England and Wales between 25 and 64-years-old are invited to cervical screening (also known as smear tests) every three to five years.

With Cervical Cancer Prevention Week running from January 21, women are being reminded that every day nine women are diagnosed and three women die of cervical cancer in the UK.

Dr Helen Lewis-Parmar, Consultant in Public Health at NHS HMR, said: “Cervical screening takes minutes and could save your life. Screening helps prevent cancer by detecting early abnormalities to the cervix so they can be treated. If these abnormalities are left untreated they can lead to cancer of the cervix.

“And it’s thought that cervical screening helps save the lives of 5,000 women in England each year.”

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women 35-years-old and under, after breast cancer. Annually, more than 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK and around 1,000 of these will die.

Dr Lewis-Parmar added: “As with all cancers, the earlier a problem is spotted, the better a patient’s outcome. Screening saves lives. You can bring a relative or friend with you and ask for a female nurse or GP to take the cervical screening sample. The test takes minutes and we’re committed to helping and encouraging all women to access this vital service.”