Bassetlaw: Worksop GP urges women to attend their cervical cancer screenings

Although cervical cancer is an uncommon type of cancer, around 3,000 women are diagnosed each year, yet there are steps women can take to prevent it from affecting them such as attending their screening. In the UK 20 per cent of women do not attend their screening.

Dr Kate Fairholme, GP at Newgate Medical Group, said: “All women aged between 25 and 64 are invited for cervical screening every three to five years depending on their age. Being screened regularly means that any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix can be identified at an early stage and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing.”

“Cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms at all until it has reached an advanced stage but symptoms can include blood in your urine, unusual vaginal bleeding, pain and discomfort during sex and swelling in your legs. If you do have any of these symptoms it is important that you tell your GP immediately.”

She urged all women to attend their screening when invited.