Women could ‘self-test’ for cervical cancer in future

Thursday 25 January 2018

Islanders could be offered the opportunity to test themselves for cervical cancer in future, rather than go to ‘embarrassing’ appointments.

Jersey’s Health Department says that it is closely watching developments in cervical screening, and that self-testing could be a possibility “in the not too distant future.”

Personal testing is not yet available in the UK or Jersey, but the Department says that it is following expert guidance from the National Screening Committee (NSC) for the local programme and will consider the move “as soon as the NSC confirms it is a viable and accurate test.”

The news comes during Cervical Cancer Prevention week (22 to 28 January), in which Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust – a charity focused around the potentially fatal disease – is aiming to raise awareness and shatter the stigma around being tested. 

They expressed concerns that smear test take-up rates were lower than they should be because many women are embarrassed about having their intimate area examined. A survey of more than 2,000 women found that this was due to fears over body shape (35%), the appearance of their vulva (34%) and how they smell (38%).

Video: The facts about HPV, the virus behind cervical cancer. (Jo's Trust)

The Charity’s Chief Executive Robert Music said that the findings were a “big worry”, adding that the charity fears that “not enough is being done to increase access and attendance of cervical screening on a local level.”

But a spokesperson for Jersey’s Health Department said that they are keen to increase the number of people being tested, with current smear test rates said to be similar to the UK at 74%. 

“Our aim is to raise this number through improvements to IT systems which will make sure that all women in the relevant age range are reminded of the need to make an appointment,” a spokesperson said. 

Unlike the UK, however, women are not automatically invited for screening when they reach 25. The responsibility lies with them to book an appointment with the GP through the Le Bas Centre, for which there is a £16 charge. 

Latest figures for Jersey show that there were 20 new cases of cervical cancer in the five years between 2010 and 2014, with one or two islanders dying each year from the disease. Regular screening can prevent up to 75% of cervical cancers developing.

Another of Jersey’s weapons against cervical cancer is HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccination, which can protect against more than 74% of cervical cancer cases. Take-up is far higher than cervical screenings at 90%.

Pictured: The location of cervical cancer and an example of normal and abnormal cells. (Wiki/Blausen)

The vaccination programme, which started in 2008, is aimed at a younger demographic – girls aged 12 to 13 (Year 8). The Health Department say that “rates of HPV infection have already fallen amongst young women who were vaccinated as girls.”

“Emerging evidence is showing that the vaccine has already led to a reduction in the number of young women being referred for a colposcopy for treatment of early signs of potential cervical cancer. It is hoped that uptake of the vaccination amongst 12/13 year olds girls will increase even further as girls and their parents become more aware of the vaccine’s effectiveness.”

For more information on cervical cancer and how to book a smear test in Jersey, click here.