Date Published:
24 February 2009 |
Screening cuts cervical cancer rates by half
In the wake of Jade Goody's tragic story, the latest Cancer Research UK statistics
reveal that there is hope on the horizon for cervical cancer.
The figures show that women are now half as likely to be diagnosed with cervical
cancer as they were when the NHS Cervical Screening Programme began in 1988.
The rate of women diagnosed with the disease has halved from 16 per 100,000
in 1988 to 8 per 100,000 according to the latest figures.
In the late 1980s around 4,800 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer each
year in Great Britain. Now, after 20 years of screening only around 2,700 women
are diagnosed with the disease.
Before the programme started cervical cancer was the sixth most commonly diagnosed
cancer in women. But because of screening, twenty years later, it is now ranked
13th.
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of health information, said:
"These compelling figures show how effective the programme has been
in preventing the disease and saving lives. Screening works by picking up
early changes in the cervix before they can develop into cancer."
The number of deaths from cervical cancer has also seen a huge drop. Twenty
years ago more than 2,000 women died in Britain every year from the disease
compared to 921 in 2006. This means cervical cancer is no longer one of the
top 20 most common causes of cancer death.
But, the latest reports show that the number of women taking up their invitations
for screening is falling, particularly among those aged 25-34.
Sara Hiom said:
"Even though cervical cancer is no longer in the top 10 of all
cancers, it is still the second most common cancer for women under the age
of 35. Crucially, women must attend screening as soon as they receive the
invitation letter from their GP – it could save their lives. If signs
of the disease are picked up early then treatment is easy and effective."
Cancer Research UK
Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is
to beat cancer.
*
Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve
understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat
different kinds
of cancer.
* Cancer Research UK ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives
of all cancer patients.
* Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is
being made and the choices each person can make.
* Cancer Research UK works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest
impact in the global fight against cancer.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how
to support the charity, please call 020 7009 8820 or visit their website (link
at bottom of this page).
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in the article above are not necessarily those of IvyRose Ltd.. Material in
this news item was released by Cancer Research UK on 24
February 2009 and may have been edited (e.g. in
style, length, and/or for ease of understanding by our international readers)
for inclusion here. For further information, please visit their website.
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