Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust concerned at incidence rise in young women

The incidence of cervical cancer in women in their 20s has risen by over 40 per cent between 1992 and 2006 in England, despite the overall incidence of cervical cancer dropping by 30 per cent, according to research presented at the National Cancer Research Institute’s (NCRI) annual conference in Liverpool.

The research – funded by Cancer Research UK – looked at overall trends in cervical cancer incidence in women aged between 20 and 79 years from 1982 to 2006.

Cervical cancer rates have risen sharply among women in their 20s, according to new figures. Incidence of the disease across England rose by 43% between 1992-94 and 2006-08.

The figures showed that cervical cancer rates among women in their 20s have continued to rise despite overall incidence of the disease dropping by about a third. In 1992-1994, about six women aged 20 to 29 in every 100,000 (around 215 per year) were diagnosed with cervical cancer. This increased to around eight per 100,000 between 2006 and 2008 (around 283 cases per year).

And the latest figures for 2007 - 2008 show that the rising trend for 20 to 29 year olds is continuing with around nine women in every 100,000 (606 cases, 303 per year) now developing cervical cancer.

In comparison in women aged 50-79 years the incidence dropped from around 17 per 100,000 (6263 cases) between 1992 and 1996 to just over 10 per 100,000 (4089 cases) during 2002 and 2006.

Cervical screening detects early changes in the cervix which can be treated before they progress into cancer.

Robert Music, director of Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, said: "The results of this research are a big concern as we know that cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease thanks to cervical screening.

"But reminding younger women that they can take proactive steps to reduce their risk of cervical cancer by attending screening continues to be a very real challenge. Around 34% of women aged 25-29 didn't attend screening last year whilst in Wales and Scotland which start screening at 20, almost half of those aged 20-24 did not take up their invitation.

“We also hope that uptake of the HPV vaccine that is offered to schoolgirls continues to be high as it protects against 70% of cervical cancers. It is believed that if year on year take up of the vaccine continues to be around 80% the incidence of cervical cancer could be reduced by 2/3rds in women under 30 by 2025.”

"It is essential we make every effort to find targeted ways to educate and persuade younger women to attend screening when invited and remind them that quite simply it could save their life."