Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix and it mainly affects women aged between 30 and 45. There are around 3,200 new cervical cancer cases in the UK every year which is more than eight per day. It is the fourteenth most common cancer in females in the UK.
Cancer of the cervix often has no symptoms in its early stages. The most common symptoms, if you do have them, is abnormal vaginal bleeding which can occur during or after sex, in between periods or new bleeding after you have been through the menopause.
If you experience abnormal bleeding, you should see a GP as soon as possible to get it investigated by your GP. If a GP thinks you might have cervical cancer, you should be referred to see a specialist within two weeks.
Cervical screening (smear test) is the best protection against cervical cancer; it detects pre-cancerous cells, allowing for them to be treated before they turn cancerous. Whilst there continues to be various campaigns to raise the awareness of smear tests, cervical screening rates have decreased over the last few years with NHS statistics showing a quarter of women in the UK either delay their smear test or don’t turn up at all.
A vaccine has been routinely offered to girls aged between 12 and 13 since 2008. However, it is important to attend your cervical screening tests, even if you have been vaccinated because the vaccine does not guarantee protection against cervical cancer.
If diagnosed early, the chance of a cure is usually very good which means mistakes or delays in diagnosing cervical cancer can have significant consequences.
A cervical cancer medical negligence claim might be made in the following circumstances:
If you have experienced a similar situation and think you have a claim, please contact Sara Westwood today on 01603 214 220 or email [email protected].