Campaign for change on cervical cancer screening
Parliament will debate lowering the age limit for cervical cancer screening to the age of 16 today.
Campaigners began their push for a change in medical procedure after the death in March of nineteen-year-old Sophie Jones.
Doctors told the aspiring model that she was too young to get the test, despite her having symptoms of cervical cancer.
The petition, called Sophie’s Choice, calls for screening to be offered to women from the age of 16, rather than 25. The petition on the Downing Street website got more than 300,000 signatures - 100,000 are needed to a debate in House of Commons.
In their first TV interview, Sophie’s mother and sister talk about their fight, and Dr Hilary shares his views on the screening programme.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England currently offers free tests to all women aged between 25 and 64 who are registered with their GP.
This includes women who have had the HPV vaccination, as the vaccine does not guarantee complete protection against cervical cancer.
Women should normally be invited for cervical screening at the following times:
By the age of 25 you will receive your first invitation for screening
When you are 25 to 49 years old you are invited for screening every three years
When you are 50 to 64 years old you are invited for screening every five years
When you are aged 65 or over you are only screened if you have not been screened since you were 50 or if you have had recent abnormal test results
If you have not had a cervical screening test within the appropriate time, you may be offered one when you next visit your GP or family planning clinic. You can also contact your GP practice to book a screening appointment if you are overdue one.
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Watch Dr Hilary Jones discuss cervical cancer and get more advice and information