Cervical cancer: The facts

Six out of ten women are unaware of the main symptoms of cervical cancer, according to a report by gynecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal. The most common symptoms of cervical cancer are bleeding after sex, bleeding after the menopause and persistent blood stained vaginal discharge. Almost 1,400 women in England took part in the face-to-face survey. Fewer than half of women recognised that infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) increased their risk when it is in fact the cause of most cases of cervical cancer. In the UK, 50 women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer every day.

The report also found a quarter of women would put off going to the doctor, even with a symptom they suspected might signal cervical cancer. Watch Lorraine Kelly, Jenny Eclair, Lorraine Kelly, Helen Lederer, Gail Porter and Mary Tamm share their thoughts about the importance of getting screened here.

The Eve Appeal is also running the maketimefortea campaign which is encouraging everyone to hold a tea party and raise funds for research into gynaecological cancers. It’s sponsored by The Redbush Tea Company who are generously giving everyone holding a party a tea parcel to get the party started! To order your TEA pack call 020 7299 4434 or visit www.eveappeal.org.uk