There has been a sudden surge of public interest in cervical cancer as a result of the public battle fought by Jade Goody against this disease.

Cervical cancer affects 3,900 cases per year in England and Wales.

The majority of cervical cancer is caused as a result of infection by the Human papilloma virus HPV by sexual contact.

This infection causes minor changes of the cells of the cervix which can be discovered by taking a smear test.

If left undiscovered or untreated, these changes can progess in severity (CIN 1-3) and finally result in localised and then widespread cancer. This process usually takes ten years.

If these early changes are discovered and the abnormal cells are removed by cautery or loop excision then it is correct to say that a case of cancer really has been prevented.

This is the reason why smear tests are recommended from the age of 25 (World Health organisation) and at certain intervals and in Wiltshire these intervals are 3 yearly until 50 and then five-yearly until 65.

Any minor smear abnormalities are usually followed up after a shorter period, such as six months, as this allows the treatment of any responsible infections, if required, and the resolution of the abnormality.

Follow the public interest in Jade Goody, the government has asked experts to review the screening intervals. However there are 1.5 million women aged 20-25 in England and Wales and three-yearly screening of this population would annually produce 270,000 abnormal smears requiring further investigation and lead to the diagnosis of 40 cases of cervical cancer. Screening of a similar number of women aged 15 to 19 would result in a similar number of abnormal smears and the diagnosis of only 2 cases.

The department of Public health is likely to reiterate that such a program would not be counter productive.

What should young women do to avoid this problem? Practising safe sex with long term partners only is clearly important.

Young women are now being offered the HPV vaccination as described in one of my previous articles. This is only useful prior to possible exposure to HPV through sex, so if you are still a virgin, but are older than the age groups specified in the national program, you may still benefit.

You should definitely accept your GPs invitation for a smear test at the correct age and you should act upon the results.

If you have any unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge symptoms, you should report this to your GP and expect to be examined.

Some young woman may choose to have a smear before they are 25 but this would have to be done privately and you would have to pay for this..

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