Every month on average, a woman in North West Durham gets the News she has cervical cancer. We can slash these rates and save lives.
Cervical cancer, is the fourth most common cancer among women. Tragically, there are around 850 cervical cancer deaths a year, with at least one woman in North West Durham contracting it a month. Commenting, Richard Holden MP said:
"There is real cause for optimism. Having spoken with Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust in Parliament, I have learned that 99.8% of these are entirely preventable through my wo things:
"1.) Get the HPV vaccine - both doses. We have a higher than national average rate take up amongst young women who can get this at school. But still one-in-four aren’t. If you’re a young woman or a parent of one, please make sure she gets the jabs.
"2.) Regular screening. Fortunately, over ¾ of women in North West Durham taking regular screening - which is good news as it is again above the national average. However, the closer we get to 100% the more lives will be saved.
"We must raise awareness of this because, unlike most cancers, we could very easily beat it right now. There is great work going on to raise awareness already so please, if you haven’t taken a screening yet, do it now. You can do this free and accessibly at your local GP."