British healthcare organisation, Bupa has revealed that almost a third of women in the UK* (29%) say they have never been for any type of health screening.

This includes cervical screening, which is vital in detecting abnormal, pre-cancerous cells which may lead to cervical cancer.
Around 2,900 women in the UK are diagnosed with Cervical Cancer  every year. However, it is one of the most preventable cancers, with deaths from the disease having fallen over the last 25 years, precisely because of large numbers of women undergoing cervical screenings. Many women are put off going for a screening owing to a lack of information on what it involves and anxiety about dealing with abnormal results. To help, Bupa is offering advice on the subject.
Dr Katrina Herren, Medical Director, Bupa Health and Wellbeing, said: “Cervical screening detects pre-cancerous cells which can develop into cervical Cancer. Early detection of pre-cancerous cells is vitally important in preventing cervical cancer so if your test does detect these abnormal cells, don’t panic. It means that the cells which could develop into the cancer have been detected and can be monitored closely or treated to prevent them developing into cancer.”

Photo By Nils Jorgensen / Rex Features Jade Goody

A cervical screening is a simple procedure carried out by a doctor or qualified nurse which can detect pre-cancerous cells in the cervix which can develop into cervical cancer. Early detection of changes to cervical cells is vitally important in minimising the impact of the disease, which is why all women over the age of 25 are encouraged to have cervical screens.
A cervical smear test is just one of the tests included in Bupa’s female health assesment For women who are primarily concerned with their breast and gynaecological health, Bupa Female Health offers a thorough check and the opportunity to discuss any health concerns youhave. You can arrange fo a smear test at your GP’s Sugery, with your local nurse, or at any Sexual Health and Family Planning Clinincs, acoss the country.  The 60 minute Bupa assessment focuses on the early detection of breast and gynaecological conditions as well as other health risks such as diabetes.     After the tragic loss of Celebrity personality and mother of two, Jade Goody, Women went in their thousands to have a smear test, now that time has passed we must never foget the message that Jade sent to all women, that we must never put it off.

*Data taken from Bupa Health Pulse 2011. Research carried out by Ipsos MORI between 22nd April and 23rd May 2011 on 1021 women (aged 18+) in the UK.