Pre-cancerous cervical lesions – vital to extend screening

 A Gothenburg University, Sweden study led by Dr Bjorn Strander has identified that it is vital for women who have been treated for early signs of cervical cancer to continue with regular screening.  The study recommends that screening should continue for at least 25 years –  current guidelines recommend 10 years.

The study looked at data on women who had been diagnosed with the most severe pre-cancerous lesions, commonly known as carcinoma-in-situ between 1958 and 2002.  They found the women were more than twice as likely to develop cervical cancer as the general female population and seven times more likely to develop vaginal cancer.

As you know, I am a great believer in regular screening/surveillance to catch disease early.  My mantra … “early diagnosis – better outcomes!”

Elaine Warburton