Cervical Cancer Prevention week: Knowledge gap around screenings "costs lives"
Cervical cancer screenings are life-saving. They often give the first indication that something is wrong before symptoms occur, which allows for vital early treatment.
If a smear test is missed, or carried out incorrectly, abnormal features that could have been stopped, can develop into cancer. As was the case for my client Rebecca, a mother of two who has been left with permanent side effects from extensive cancer treatment, after two smear tests were incorrectly reported.
Rebecca, who suffers PTSD from her ordeal, would not have developed cancer if the early abnormalities had been correctly identified during a routine cervical screening.
It is crucial that smear tests are conducted regularly and accurately, but for many women the discomfort or pain of the process is a significant barrier.
To mark Cervical Cancer Prevention week the Eve Appeal is urging women to request adjustments during their screening. The charity warns that the lack of knowledge around what women can ask for during cervical screenings is "costing lives". Small adjustments, such as positioning, the size of equipment or a longer appointment, could be key in getting more women regularly screened.
Cervical screening tests for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, and is offered by the NHS to all women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64.
Smear tests are thought to save about 5,000 lives every year in the UK but according to latest NHS England data, more than five million eligible women are not up to date with their routine screening. The lowest uptake is among women aged between 25 and 29 (58%).
As a medical negligence lawyer specialising in cervical cancer claims I see first hand the devasting effect a late or missed diagnosis has on women and their families. Through my client's stories I also see just how effective cervical screening can be at identifying abnormal cells early even before cancer develops. As Rebecca's case shows, a properly executed smear test could make the difference between stopping cancer before it develops or battling the disease.
Unfortunately, there are rare instances where medical mistakes cause delays in diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer, which can have devastating consequences. If you are concerned that you may have experienced medical negligence, pursuing a claim can help you to get help, support and financial compensation. You can find out more about cervical cancer misdiagnosis claims here.
Alternatively, you can contact me by emailing christina.gardiner@fieldfisher.com or by calling 0330 460 6746.