Every year, around 3,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Whilst rare, cervical cancer can be a life-changing and dangerous disease.
Of the UK women eligible for cervical screening, almost 3.7 million are putting themselves at risk of life-threatening cervical cancer having not attended cervical screening in the last five years. Early diagnosis and monitoring of cervical cancer can be the difference between life and death and in the UK women are invited for cervical screening every three years from the ages of 25 to 49 and every five years from 50 to 64 (in Scotland women are invited every three years from 20-60 years).
However, an OECD report revealed that UK cervical cancer survival rates are near the bottom of the developed world. Out of 23 countries studied, the UK ranked 21.
Screening attendance for the disease is also dropping, with more than a quarter of eligible women failing to attend their screening appointments.
Samme Allen was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 35; she hadn’t been to a screening for ten years.
Watch our video to find out more about Samme’s story and why she is urging women to make sure they attend their screening appointments without fail.
Robert Music the CEO of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is alongside her, to talk about the disease, the symptoms and treatment options. Frankie Appleyard and she shares her story with us too.
