Women in Southport are being urged not to ignore cervical cancer symptoms and attend screenings despite NHS capacity concerns and Covid fears.
Hannah Luscombe, Senior Medical Negligence Solicitor at Fletchers Solicitors’ in Southport, said: “The impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the NHS cannot be underestimated. The pandemic has seen many routine treatments cancelled, with the focus being on urgent care only.
“There has been particular concern about the impact this could have on cancer patients.
“Not only have there been delays with screening and treatment, but many people are not attending appointments as they do not want to put additional strain on the NHS or fear of contracting Covid-19 if they were to attend an appointment.
“In June 2020, a survey by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust surveyed 851 women and a quarter of those surveyed were worried about contracting Covid-19 if they went to a screening.
“NHS cervical screening has long been fraught with difficulties. In March 2019, when screening was at a 20-year low, I voiced concerns then about 1 in 4 eligible women still not having smear tests.
“It is crucial for women to continue attending cervical screening appointments as early diagnosis and treatment is essential and could result in many lives being saved, with the potential for future generations to be free of cervical cancer.”
Hannah Luscombe is a Senior Medical Negligence Solicitor at Fletchers Solicitors.
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