Cervical cancer: Know the facts
Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, the national cervical cancer charity, shows that women are more likely to visit the doctor with a persistent cold than with a symptom of cervical cancer.
A third of women in their late 20s miss their smear test despite cancer being most common in this age group. NHS figures obtained by Jo's show that 36 per cent of women aged 25 to 29 due their first smear test last year failed to attend. This research found many women are too embarrassed to have the test or too busy to make an appointment. It also found that a third of women aged 50 to 70 did not believe the test was necessary - so missed their last test!
Chloe Madeley, who vowed to have regular smears after Jade Goody's death in 2009 and had to have pre-cancerous cells removed from her ovaries is helping mark Cervical Screening Awareness and joins us on the Lorraine sofa with Dr Hilary Jones.
Watch Dr Hilary talk in more depth about cervical cancer
Cervical cancer - know the facts, know the signs
Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix. The cervix connects a woman's womb and her vagina. It is also known as the neck of the womb. Cervical cancer can affect women of all ages but is most common in women between 30 - 45 years of age. It is very rare in women under 25.
Cervical screening - previously known as a smear test - can prevent cervical cancer and saves thousands of lives each year (up to 4,000). In the future, most cervical cancers will be prevented by HPV vaccination. But for the next few decades, cervical screening will still be vitally important. The earlier cervical cancer is diagnosed, the better.
The early symptoms
Unusual bleeding Bleeding after having sex (postcoital bleeding)Bleeding outside of your normal periodsNew bleeding after the menopause
Advanced symptoms
ConstipationBlood in your urine (haematuria)Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)Bone painSwelling of one of your legsSevere pain in your side or back caused by swelling in your kidneys related to a condition called hydronephrosisChanges to your bowel and bladder habitsLoss of appetiteWeight lossTiredness and lack of energy
More information
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