Let’s talk about cervical cancer…
A potentially life-threatening condition, cervical cancer affects around 3,200 women in the UK each year – that’s more than 8 diagnoses each day*. If it doesn’t affect you or someone you love, there is a chance it will touch the lives of at least one of your clients.
Common among younger women, the main cause of cervical cancer is long-lasting (persistent) infection of certain types of the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is a common virus, and in most cases your immune system clears the infection without any problems. If it does develop into cervical cancer, survival ultimately depends on many factors. While no one can tell you exactly how long you will live, non-age standardised survival statistics are available for each stage of cervical cancer in England:
Stage 1- Around 95 out of 100 people (around 95%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
Stage 2-Almost 70 out of 100 people (almost 70%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
Stage 3-More than 40 out of 100 people (more than 40%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
Stage 4-Around 15 out of 100 people (around 15%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after being diagnosed.
Cervical screening can help stop cervical cancer in its tracks, saving thousands of lives every year in the UK. The NHS cervical screening programme invites women aged between 25 and 64 to attend a clinic for regular screenings. The screening test aims to pick up changes early that could develop into cervical cancer if left untreated. The bad news? One in three* 25-29 year olds don’t attend their cervical screenings. This is something we HAVE to change…
Screening is one of the most powerful weapons we have in the fight against cervical cancer, but it’s important to know that cervical cancer prevention doesn’t have to stop at your smear…
Instead of the usual #SmearForSmear campaign, this year, Jo's Cervical Cancer trust are focusing on sharing stories, information and tips that go further than a smear test. They still want to talk about the importance of screening and support women and people with a cervix to attend, but they also want to talk about what happens after the test to reduce the fear and confusion felt by so many.
If you’ve already got your lipstick at the ready, that’s absolutely fine too – they hope you can still join in the campaign by sharing a smear test tip or supportive message with your selfie!
It’s important to consider what all this means for your clients. Our new add-on offering Umbrella Benefits feature Wellbeing Support provided by Red Arc Assured Ltd which can help your clients navigate cancer.
Sources:
*https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/about
* https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/survival