- From tomorrow, Government will begin using test in surgeries and clinics
- Should be available nationwide in two years’ time, it was announced today
- The new test is far more accurate than the current smears women undergo
- Works by identifying the HPV virus which triggers nearly all tumours
Sophie Borland Health Editor For The Daily Mail
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Cervical cancer leads to 900 deaths a year in the UK. The reality TV star Jade Goody lost her life to the illness in 2009 at the age of just 27
A new test for cervical cancer to be offered to millions of women should prevent hundreds of cases each year.
From tomorrow, the Government will begin rolling out the test in surgeries and clinics and it should be available nationwide in two years’ time.
The new test is far more accurate than the current smears and works by identifying the HPV virus which triggers nearly all tumours.
Experts hope it will prevent 600 cancers a year and save lives by flagging up abnormalities long before tumours have had the chance to appear.
There are around 3,000 cases of cervical cancer in the UK a year and it is most common in women under the age of 45.
Sadly, it leads to 900 deaths a year and many of the victims are young women in their 20s and 30s embarking on careers or starting families.
They include the reality TV star Jade Goody who lost her life to the illness in 2009 at the age of just 27.
The new test is a more accurate version of the smear and identifies whether the HPV virus is present in cells, which is behind 97 per cent of tumours.
If this is found, women would be sent to have more frequent checks and if necessary surgery to remove abnormal cells before they have the chance to grow into tumours.
It is far more accurate than the current smear test which relies on cell experts in the lab, cytologists, looking down a microscope to check for abnormalities.
This is very subjective and has led to tumours being missed as well as other healthy women undergoing surgery needlessly.
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Public Health Minister Jane Ellison, said: ‘These changes are a breakthrough in the way we test women for cervical disease.
‘The new test is more accurate, more personal and will reduce anxiety among women.
Sir Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: ‘It’s a huge step forward that the Government is now introducing the HPV test to improve cervical screening.
‘Testing first for the human papilloma virus will help prevent more cervical cancers, as it can pick up the cancer-causing infection before any abnormalities can develop in the cells.
‘The cervical screening programme saves thousands of lives every year by preventing cancer and research shows that this change will make the programme even more effective.
‘More lives will also be saved by detecting the disease early, when it is more likely to be treated successfully.’
The new test is far more accurate than the current smears and works by identifying the HPV virus (pictured) which triggers nearly all tumours
Around 4 million women have the existing smear test a year and despite its flaws, it has been credited with saving 4,500 lives annually.
But experts hope this technique will be even more beneficial and previous research has shown it identifies a third more cancer cases.
Smear tests are offered to all women over 25 every three years and for women over 45 every five years.
Robert Music, Chief Executive Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said: ‘Evidence shows that this new test will see higher detection rates and a more reliable indicator which will help identify women at greater risk of developing cervical cancer.
‘Ultimately the quicker this is rolled out, the sooner we will see fewer women diagnosed or losing their lives to cervical cancer.’
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF CERVICAL CANCER?
Cancer of the cervix – the neck of the womb – affects women of all ages, but is most common in those aged 30 to 45 years old.
As with all gynaecological cancers, the sooner cervical cancer is diagnosed, the better a woman’s chances of survival.
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by the common, sexually transmitted infection, the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Most women will have HPV at some point in their lives, though for most the virus clears up of its own accord.
About 2,900 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK.
Experts say the new test is far more accurate than the current smear test which relies on cell experts in the lab, cytologists, looking down a microscope to check for abnormalities (file image shown)
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms aren’t always obvious and may not appear until the disease has reached an advanced stage.
In most cases, abnormal bleeding is the first sign. It usually occurs after sex although any unusual bleeding should be investigated.
Other symptoms include pain in and around the vagina during sex, an unpleasant smelling discharge and pain when passing urine.
If the cancer has spread there may be other symptoms including constipation, blood in the urine, loss of bladder control, bone pain and swelling in the legs and kidneys.
To lessen the risk of developing the disease, experts recommend:
* Go for cervical screening when invited
* Have the HPVvaccine, if offered
* Quit smoking
*Use a condom to reduce the risk of contracting HPV
Even if you have had the HPV vaccine and have a normal cervical smear result, it is vital you raise symptoms with a doctor.
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