There has been a lot of confusion over a recent article (link in the comments). Could we make it clear that it has nothing to do with petition. The petition is STILL LIVE and needs your signatures. The petition goes to parliament, not the NI health minister. The article is in response to a letter sent to the NI health minister by Pat Ramsey supporting our campaign. We feel the health ministers response is unacceptable. Currently 45 young lives are being taken each year by cervical cancer in the UK - is this rare? The data used to decide on age of screening is outdated and needs to be based on more recent research. The paper Characteristics and screening history of women diagnosed with cervical cancer aged 20-29 years” was written by those who originally produced the evidence that was used to increase the screening age to 25 years in England (2003/4) and then Northern Ireland (2011). Not surprisingly, this paper attempts to defend the decision to increase the screening age. However, following close scrutiny of the paper it can be argued that the decision to increase the screening age was wrong and has indeed increased the number of cancers and advanced cancers in women aged 20-29 years. We do not feel the response addresses what was requested. It addresses lowering the age for population screening, but yet what was asked about, was girls who have requested #smearondemand. So if someone under 25 requests a smear through their choice, and their informed decision, they are not to be offered? It needs to be recognised that most of those women 20-24 years will have been screened, due to going to GP because of problems or symptoms. So it would be expected that cancers diagnosed in this age group tended to be advanced. Also adenosquamous cancer, whilst rare, can still be picked up on screening. We feel it needs to be realised that the aim of cervical screening is not to detect cervical cancer it is to prevent it. Also what gynaecologist would provide treatment for abnormalities that someone didnt need? They are better than that. Treatment of abnormal cells only occurs when CIN 2/3 is present. If it was their wife, daughter or sister would they take the chance and leave those abnormal cells present due to small risks of treatment? Surely these young women, who usually have young children, also deserve the protection that cervical screening provides Help us reach our target so we get the chance to have our say and give this the fair debate that is needed. Help us by signing and sharing the petition - epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/71455 Please remember when you sign the petition, this will generate an email to the account you specified. You need to click the link on this email to confirm your email address, in order for your name to be added to the petition. Your name is not live on the petition until his is done (Ive been told some people are finding this email in their junk mail folders). #teamsorcha
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 09:26:02 +0000
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