No, it’s just historic as those who have screened adequately have a low risk of developing cancer. “ The screening program stops at 65 years and your question would be: ‘Why, that must be based on science?’. This will give us important information about how to improve cervical screening for individuals in this community.Īnother concern is that individuals at 65 years old arbitrarily exit the cervical screening program. Jen is currently exploring the acceptability of a urine test instead of a smear for individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community who are eligible for screening. Unfortunately, lower screening rates are found within marginalised communities including the LGBTQIA+ community. “ If it can to the same extent that a cervical sample can, then why would we need to have an invasive procedure if we can just give a urine sample.”ĭue to the sub-optimal uptake of cervical screening, it is important to overcome the barriers that non-attending women face and “ one of the big barriers is an intimate examination that can be very uncomfortable… also people find it can be inconvenient we all have busy lives… or they just don’t find the time.” It is hoped that these perceived barriers “would be negated with a urine test”. If this proves to be the case, we could see a transformation in our cervical screening program, hopefully becoming more efficient and increasing the number of people screened as the testing becomes more tolerable and accessible. Jen hopes that this test will match the effectiveness of the ‘gold standard’ cervical smear test at detecting the virus. Urine testing is non-invasive, simple and can be done quickly at-home and sent back to the testing lab by post. She is undertaking her PhD alongside renowned Professor of Gynaecology Oncology Emma Crosbie, who is “a key inspiration” for her. Jen is a trainee in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with an interest in pursuing a career in Gynaecology Oncology and is a published first author. In addition, early detection is key not only in survivorship but also financial efficiency: improving cervical screening rates could save the NHS £10m a year.ĭr Jen Davies-Oliveira is working on ground-breaking research into the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer by exploring the possibility of HPV testing of a urine sample as an alternative to a smear for cervical screening. However, uptake of screening is at an all-time low with only 72% of those eligible attending their smear tests, leaving almost a third unscreened. HPV screening is offered to every woman between the ages of 25 and 65, every few years. There are 3,200 cases of cervical cancer in the UK every year and mortality is almost always preventable. It is a common, sexually transmitted virus responsible for up to 99% of cervical cancer cases worldwide. The use of a speculum can indeed be very uncomfortable, but the intimacy of the examination can also be extremely off-putting.Ī smear test is a medical examination of the cervix that primarily tests for a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It probably brings relief to most that smear tests are only a three-yearly occurrence. Cancer Research Project Managers Network.Nursing and Allied Health Professional Academic Pathways.Clinical Research Training Fellowships (PhD).Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) Programme.Empowering Future Leaders: Our Development Strategy.Cancer Research Facilities and Infrastructure.Experimental and Precision Cancer Medicine.Prostate, Renal and other Genitourinary Cancers.
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