Bupa says that almost a third of women (29%) say
they have never been for any type of health screening, including cervical
screening, which is vital in detecting abnormal, pre-cancerous cells which may
lead to cervical cancer.
2900 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer
every year. However, it is one of the most preventable cancers, with deaths
from the disease having fallen over the last 25 years, precisely because of large
numbers of women undergoing cervical screenings. Many women are put off going
for a screening owing to a lack of information on what it involves and anxiety
about dealing with abnormal results.
Dr Katrina Herren of Bupa advises: "Cervical screening detects
pre-cancerous cells which can develop into cervical cancer. Early detection of
pre-cancerous cells is vitally important in preventing cervical cancer so if
your test does detect these abnormal cells, don't panic. It means that the
cells which could develop into the cancer have been detected and can be
monitored closely or treated to prevent them developing into cancer."
Private medical insurance news: 28 January 2012
