Cervical cancer symptoms and treatments as many miss crucial tests

Many individuals continue to miss their smear test appointments. However, cervical cancer screening tests could soon be conducted at home – a development experts are hailing as revolutionary.

NHS chiefs are considering the introduction of quick and user-friendly self-testing kits in England, which could result in approximately 400,000 additional people being tested annually. The test identifies human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of symptomless viruses that can lead to cervical cancer.

Around 13 high-risk HPV types are responsible for 99.7% of all cervical cancers. Statistics reveal a decline in cervical screening uptake, especially among younger women. Tests may be skipped due to inconvenient appointment times, embarrassment, or fears about pain during the procedure.

In the largest trial to date, the King’s College London YouScreen trial, women used a vaginal swab – similar to a long cotton bud – to collect a sample themselves, either at home or at their GP surgery, before sending their kit to a laboratory free of charge. Other nations such as the Netherlands, Australia, Denmark, and Sweden have already implemented these self-testing kits, reports Gloucestershire Live.

The introduction of an HPV vaccine is aiding in the prevention of cervical cancer, but unvaccinated women still need to attend screenings every three to five years depending on their age.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer, according to the NHS.

While most people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems, some types can cause changes to the cells of the cervix, leading to cervical cancer.

What are the signs of cervical cancer?

The NHS lists several common symptoms of cervical cancer, including unusual vaginal bleeding, such as after menopause, after sex, or between regular periods; changes in vaginal discharge; discomfort or pain during sex; and unexplained lower back pain or pain between the hip bones. However, The Eve Appeal warns that cervical cancer may not always present obvious symptoms.

Who is at higher risk?

While anyone with a cervix can develop cervical cancer, it primarily affects women under the age of 45, says the NHS. Certain factors may increase your risk of developing the disease, such as having a weakened immune system, giving birth to multiple children or having children at a young age, having a history of vaginal, vulval, kidney or bladder cancer, or if your mother took the hormonal medicine diethylstilbestrol while she was pregnant with you.

Is there anything you can do to reduce your risk?

The best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer are attending cervical screenings and getting the HPV vaccination, which is available from the age of 12 or 13 up to 25. It’s recommended to have the vaccine before engaging in sexual activity for the first time.

Other methods to lower your risk of developing cervical cancer include using condoms, quitting smoking – as it can weaken your immune system and the chemicals in cigarettes can also cause cervical cancer – and maintaining a balanced diet, which aids in supporting your immune system.

How is cervical cancer currently diagnosed?

If you exhibit symptoms, a pelvic examination should be offered, typically involving a GP pressing your stomach to detect any abnormalities, and inspecting inside and outside of your vagina. If a screening reveals abnormal cells in your cervix, you’ll generally be referred for a colposcopy for a more detailed examination of your cervix.

Following this, you will usually be invited to the hospital for an appointment with a consultant oncologist to discuss the test results and future steps, as well as answer any queries you might have. Macmillan Cancer Support also highlights that cervical cancer may also be diagnosed during cervical screening or after an abnormal smear test – while this isn’t common, it does occasionally occur.

How is cervical cancer treated?

Treatment options for cervical cancer can range from chemotherapy or radiotherapy, but surgery is often the primary treatment, particularly if the cancer is detected early. Surgical procedures can involve removing a portion of the cervix, or performing a hysterectomy – which involves the removal of both the cervix and the womb.