
“I think it’s really important that people keep signing up to these type of trials to push research forward.”
This study aimed to learn more about the symptoms and experiences that young women have before being diagnosed with cervical cancer.
In this study, researchers asked young women who had been recently diagnosed with cervical cancer about their symptoms and the events leading up to their diagnosis.
The overall aim of the study was to ensure that in the future, young women with cervical cancer can be diagnosed as quickly as possible.
The study team found that many young women do not know the symptoms of cervical cancer and delayed going to see a doctor about them.
164 women aged 18 to 29 who had cervical cancer agreed to take part. Of those, 128 were interviewed about the events leading up to their diagnosis. The researchers found that
The main findings were that
The researchers concluded that many young women don’t know what the symptoms of cervical cancer are. They may delay going to see their doctor, which can delay diagnosis. There were also delays in diagnosing some women after they had been to see a doctor about symptoms. The study team suggests that information about symptoms should be improved and this could help cervical cancer to be diagnosed earlier in the future.
We have based this summary on information from the team who ran the trial. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists () and published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Professor Amanda-Jane Ramirez
NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
King's College London Promoting Early Presentation Group
Trent Cancer Registry
Freephone 0808 800 4040
“I think it’s really important that people keep signing up to these type of trials to push research forward.”