5:04pm Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Hayley Court
WOMEN in Swindon could be putting their lives on the line by not taking advantage of free smear tests.
The tests are thought to save 18 lives in the town every year yet 23 per cent of 25 to 64-year-olds in Swindon do not take the test.
And health bosses are now urging women between the ages of 25 and 64 to take advantage of the free tests offered to them.
Cervical screening saves around 4,500 lives every year in England and is credited with a 36 per cent decline in deaths caused by cervical cancer.
Frances Mayes, acting head of health inequalities at Swindon PCT, said: “I can’t emphasise enough how important it is for women to go for cervical screening.
“We realise some people may feel anxious about going for a smear test but would urge women not to put off getting screened. The test takes about five minutes with most women describing it as a little uncomfortable but not painful.
Cervical cancer can develop from an infection of a common virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV), which has a number of different strains.
HPV can be acquired by any woman who is or has been sexually active and while the immune system can usually fight off most strains of the infection, occasionally HPV can lead to the development of abnormal cells which may become cancerous if left untreated.
“Although smear tests can feel a little embarrassing it is 100 per cent worth it in the long-run,” said Mrs Mayes “Early detection and treatment of the disease can prevent the need for invasive surgery later on, such as a hysterectomy, and has saved countless lives. It is excellent that we are now taking steps to prevent cervical cancer as well as treat it, but we would like to remind women that although the vaccine will protect against the majority of HPV infections, it does not protect against them all.
“This is why we would still urge all young women, including those who have been vaccinated, to be part of cervical screening programme when invited.”
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