Almost half of the women are intentionally putting off important cervical screenings despite 83 per cent also saying they believe they prevent cervical cancer, according to new research to mark the start of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. The research, by women’s health charity, The Lady Garden Foundation, uncovered that embarrassment was the leading factor why cervical screenings were being purposely skipped, with more than one in ten claiming they have put it off due to forgetting to wax or shave beforehand.
Despite more than one in five saying they have had a previous HPV-positive result from a screening, 45 per cent didn’t recognise HPV as the main cause of cervical cancer, and more than one in ten incorrectly believed they were fully protected from cervical cancer if they’d had an HPV vaccine. 17% also assumed that a cervical screening could help diagnose other gynaecological cancers and further conditions such as thrush or sexually transmitted infections.
Additional myths extended to some of the risk factors associated with cervical cancer with more than two-thirds (69%) incorrectly believing cervical cancer is hereditary, whilst over a third of those polled believed women in perimenopause would be most at risk. Cervical cancer is most common in women aged 30-35 and the most common cancer in women under 35.
A lack of education about cervical cancer symptoms has also seen women not seek medical advice when experiencing some of the most common ones, including discomfort or pain during sex, unpleasant smelling discharge and unusual vaginal bleeding.
Co-founder and Chair of The Lady Garden Foundation Jenny Halpern Prince MBE said: “This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, we will debunk the myths and empower women across the country with knowledge on cervical cancer. Our mantra is to not ‘beat around the bush’ when it comes to gynaecological health.”
The Lady Garden Foundation has created a ‘Don’t Beat Around the Bush’ myth-busting guide for women to download from their website.