[ad_1]
Women should be given home testing kits as soon as possible for the virus that causes 99% of cervical cancer, a charity said.
According to the Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, the NHS should run home tests of the human papillomavirus (HPV) to diagnose more women with the disease at an early stage.
The charity launched this appeal on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the death of 27-year-old reality star Jade Goody, of cervical cancer.
On Wednesday, health officials announced that they would carry out post-mortem tests by mail in some areas of England.
Professor Sir Mike Richards, a former government tsar responsible for cancer, told the Public Accounts Committee that the self-test was "very promising".
Figures show that in the months following Goody's death in March 2009, about half a million additional women participated in smear tests – known as the "Jade Goody Effect".
But since then, screening rates have dropped and the latest data show that at the end of March of last year, the percentage of eligible women screened was only 71.4. %.
In younger women, screening rates are even worse, with only 61.1% of women aged 25 to 29 years old and 68.8% of those aged 30 to 34 years old.
Robert Music, general manager of Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, said the self-test could help reverse some of the decline by allowing women to use the kits in the comfort of their homes.
"Our research has taught us that there is a great appetite for self-testing and we want it to be introduced into the NHS screening program as soon as possible," he said.
"Countries such as Australia and Denmark, which already offer self-diagnosis, are achieving fantastic results: more women are being screened and more cancers are prevented or diagnosed at an early stage.
"For those who find screening difficult for a wide range of physical and psychological reasons, this could change the game."
At present, women can buy HPV kits online, including via the Superdrug Online doctor service, but they are not routinely available on the NHS.
HPV is an extremely common virus that is often transmitted during badual intercourse and skin-to-skin contact of the bads.
If a woman is HIV-positive, her doctor can arrange additional tests.
Music said Goody's death had a huge impact on increasing screening rates, but new measures were needed now.
"I joined Jo, right after Jade's diagnosis, and saw the tremendous impact of her story, including her sad and very young death.
"Nationally, we are witnessing an extraordinary increase in the number of women participating in cervical cancer screening, with hundreds of thousands of additional people reserving their test.
"As a result, many cancers have been prevented as well as cancers detected at an early stage, resulting in less invasive treatments and better results. Jade saved lives unequivocally.
"It is now sad and disturbing to note that the impact it has had is very much forgotten and that participation in cervical cancer screening is lower than ever before.
"We know that one day cervical cancer can be eliminated, but to make it a reality, we need to focus on improving access to testing and adopting innovations such as HPV test at home. "
Your # Cervical screening appointments should not take more than 20 minutes, with the procedure itself taking about three minutes #CervicalScreeningSavesLives pic.twitter.com/DJyU3ICw6q
– Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust (@JoTrust) March 20, 2019
Research conducted by the charity suggests that more than a third of young women are postponing smear tests because of their embarrbadment.
Other factors include low risk perception, fear, a busy lifestyle, and simply forgetting appointments.
Mr. Music said mothers have a role to play in raising awareness by talking to their daughters about screening.
"It's important to standardize screening and reduce the stigma and misconceptions that surround it.
"Mothers can play an important role in this process by talking to their daughters about the test. However, we know that everyone's experience with testing is different and that some women may feel less able to do so.
"Universities, schools, workplaces and businesses can also help make the test known."
While some women do not like the term "smear test" and prefer "cervical screening," it is important to continue using both terms, Music said.
"Cervical screening is the medical term used for the test. However, as many people may not know it, we also talk about smear tests to make sure we do not add additional barriers, "he said.
A cervical cancer screening is offered to all women aged 25 to 64 years to detect abnormal cells in the cervix of the uterus. These samples are currently being tested for HPV.
Girls aged 12 to 13 are offered an HPV vaccination at school.
However, in some areas of the UK, one in three girls has not been fully immunized against HPV at school in 2017-2018.
Anne Mackie, director of screening at Public Health England, was not available for an interview, but said in a statement: "We welcome all that can be done to help more women get screened. all security.
"That's why we asked the UK National Screening Committee to examine the benefits of home self-diagnostic kits for women.
"Work is also underway between PHE and academics at University College London and King's College London to evaluate the feasibility of using these kits.
"All women using kits purchased in pharmacies should take their results and discuss them with their GP."
In the UK, every year more than 3,000 women in the United Kingdom are diagnosed with cervical cancer and this disease kills over 850 women a year.
[ad_2]
Source link
