Senin, 11 Juni 2012

The end of the Jade Goody effect: Cervical cancer screening rates hit 10-year-low

The end of the Jade Goody effect: Cervical cancer screening rates hit 10-year-low

By Ian Garland

PUBLISHED: 21:00 EST, 10 June 2012 | UPDATED: 04:21 EST, 11 June 2012

Testing for cervical cancer among women in England has fallen to a 10-year low, with charities blaming the poor figures on the end of the 'Jade Goody effect'.

The reality TV star's death from the disease in 2009 prompted a dramatic surge in the numbers of women who were annually tested for cervical cancer.

But three years on, those numbers have declined sharply.

The 'Jade Goody effect' saw more than 400,000 women in England tested for cervical cancer between mid-2008 and mid-2009

The 'Jade Goody effect' saw more than 400,000 women in England tested for cervical cancer between mid-2008 and mid-2009


Despite cervical screening saving 5,000 lives every year in the UK, 20 per cent of women are not being tested, according to Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust,  the UK's only dedicated cervical cancer charity.

The charity said many feel the screening is not necessary or relevant to them, while others are unaware of the causes, symptoms and ways to prevent the cancer.

Some women miss or delay tests because of work commitments, while others book time off work because they are too embarrassed to discuss it with their bosses.

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust is urging more women to attend screenings.

Robert Music, the trust's director, said: 'Every day eight women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and three lives are lost to the disease. Cervical screening can help reduce these numbers.

'The screening programme saves 5,000 lives each year in the UK yet 20 per cent of women are not attending their cervical screening test. The more we can do to stress the importance of this life-saving test the better.

'With such a worrying decline in numbers our campaign is also targeting key cities where uptake is below the national average.

'Adverts urging eligible women to get screened will adorn buses across London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester, reaching a potential 5.5 million people.'

Over the last decade the number of women being tested for the cancer has fallen, despite a dramatic rise in 2009 following the death of Big Brother star Jade Goody from the disease.

Jade, pictured with her sons Bobby Jack and Freddie, urged other young women to get tested for the disease which ultimately killed her

Before her death, Jade, pictured with her sons Bobby Jack and Freddie, urged other young women to get tested for the disease

The 'Jade Goody effect' saw more than 400,000 women in England tested for cervical cancer between mid-2008 and mid-2009.

It said a poll, carried out by YouGov, showed that since then numbers have declined.

Now, fewer than 80 per cent of women take up the screening - more than one in five women between the ages of 25 and 64 and one in three under 35 are not being tested.

Women over 50 being screened dropped below 80 per cent for the first time in 2010 and fell even further last year.

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust said some women found the screening unnecessary or not relevant to them.

Others struggled to understand the information they received and more showed a lack of awareness about the causes, symptoms and ways to prevent cervical cancer.

Work also got in the way of screenings, and a survey found that if doctors were more flexible about appointment times it would encourage women to make screenings more of a priority.

Mr Music said: 'It appears that more and more women every year are putting off getting screened for a multitude of reasons. These women are not getting the right support and information or they are simply not being reached at all.

'This is particularly true of BME (black and minority ethnic) communities, where we see a greater lack of awareness which may lead to fewer numbers being screened compared to white women. This is something that needs to be urgently addressed.

'Another major contributing factor to women not attending is embarrassment and fear of the procedure. We want to reverse this trend by reassuring those who are nervous about the test that it's a simple five minute procedure that could save their life.

'Older eligible women need to be aware that cervical screening is not just for the young and it's worrying to see the figures for uptake are even lower for women over 50.

'It's clear that a job needs to be done for more targeted campaigns to reach individual groups of women with the relevant information and reassurance that will encourage them to attend.'

Cervical cancer is predominantly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) which can be caught as soon as women start having intimate relationships.

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

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It's not for want of trying! I'm 23, have been sexually active and on the pill since I was 15 (only two partners, one of them is my husband) and had a baby when I was 21. I've asked 6 times for a smear test - 3 times since my daughter was born. "You're too young, you're only 23, we don't start cervical screening until you're 25."

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Women are ignoring this test because they are highly embarrassed. How would a man like to receive a letter every 4 years asking him to pull back his foreskin and have a swab taken through the urethra? They too would be embarrassed, so this isn't just a female thing. The human body is a personal place to it's owner.

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WHY don't women have these tests? Having been a nurse for many years, looking at a women's cervix is the same as looking at a person's elbow!!

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I am having a ahrd time understanding this no under 25 rule as when I first went to my doctor at 18 to speak abput contraception, my MALE doctor advised as I was now sexually active HE would recommenc a Smear test now and every three years after. So why the sudden change and when did it happen. Luckily I have always had normal readings but have never ben refused due to age.

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Please get tested. I waited 10 years and had severe dyskarosis (pre cancerous cells) but they were dealt with quicky and easily with virtually no pain. I was terrified, but it really wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought. If I had left it any longer who knows what might have happened. My daughter is 24 and has children and her doctor agreed to test her early just to be on the safe side and thankfully she was clear. I think we are lucky to have such an understanding GP.

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As my nurse says to me when ever i have it done " All your dignity goes out the window." It's true but whats 2-3 minutes of awkwardness if it's potentially going to save your life. I do think they should start the screening at 18 because there isn't an age limit on cancer. It's a shame the numbers have dropped. A high profile death like Jade Goodys should have given some women a wake up call. Unfortunately some people think that thing like this won't effect them so young. Just go get it done! It's nothing you Nurse or Doctor hasn't scene before. And if it saves your life it's worth it!

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I had a test 3 yrs ago and it came back with sin3 pre cancer which terrified me but after having a large chunk of my cervix removed I've been all clear since. The weeks before the op were awful, I have young kids and the thought of not being around for them scared me so much. I would never miss another scan and always recommend all women have them. Better a little discomfort now than leaving it too late.

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Is this age limit only in England? Or has it only been introduced recently? I had my first smear 19 years ago at the age of 17.

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It's such a shame that so many women are ignoring this vital and potentially life-saving examination. A very recent documentary on Sky Living profiled a few women who are now suffering as a result of ignoring their smear tests.

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"Get it done ladies, 5 mins of discomfort every 3 or 5 years is nothing. I'm waiting to be recalled in 6 months to see if my 'borderline cells' are back in normal parameters or not. It's the longest 6 months of my life - but at least if it's bad news then hopefully I've been caught early...- me, Suburbia, 11/6/2012 8:40 I came back with a "borderline result" 20 years ago. Every test since has been totally negative. This highlights the problem with testing. Yes, it can show problems, but on the other hand it can make stress levels high and costs a great deal. Hopefully, as more is learned about cancer and its causes tests will become more sophisticated.

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