Cervical cancer drives 'essential in poorer areas'

Each year almost 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK, a figure which is slowly falling, though there are still areas where women are more at risk.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, women from areas deemed to be poorer have a much higher risk of developing the disease - a fact which must be addressed in order to reduce mortality statistics, an expert has said.

The findings, which have been published in the British Journal of Cancer, suggest that women who have sex at a younger age can be up to twice as likely to develop cervical cancer and this is something more prevalent in deprived areas.

Robert Music, director of cervical cancer charity Jo's Trust, told cancer cover holders the study illustrates why it is increasingly important for women in areas deemed poorer to have their awareness raised.

"The results of this study back up what Jo's Trust has been saying for sometime, which is that there is a need to run targeted education campaigns in deprived areas to highlight the importance of the causes of cervical cancer and how it can be prevented," he said.

He added that the research shows the importance of programmes such as the human papillomvairus (HPV) scheme, which immunises girls against the leading cause of cervical cancer from an early age.

Mr Music stressed that as cervical cancer kills over 1,000 women a year in the UK, it is essential that people, particularly those in poorer areas, are made aware that it is largely preventable.

He told cancer insurance customers: "The results also show the importance of the HPV vaccination programme and the role it can play in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer and we would urge that every effort is made to ensure the take-up rate is as high as possible."

Posted by Louise Jones

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