In the UK women in “ eligible “ age groups for screening should automatically be contacted. If you’re worried, contact your doctor. In the Philippines you – or your loved ones – might also need to be pro-active, and prepared to pay.


• There are good reasons – unrelated to cost – for NOT routinely screening under the ages of early 20’s ( cervical ) and late 40’s ( breast ).


• Most ( not all ) breast cancers occur over 50, and cervical cancers under 50 ( but over 25 ).


• It’s hard in any case to detect and interpret abnormalities in women younger than the recommended ages. Breast tissue is firmer and more fibrous. Cervical cells in young women often show changes which usually return to normal. Even in older women, it can be hard to interpret changes ( or abnormal cells may be missing from the sample ). In the Philippines, the cheap VIA screening method results in destruction of areas which appear abnormal, without even taking and examining a smear.


• Overtreatment - and the worry caused to the individual ( who has become labelled a “ patient “ ) - can’t always be avoided. A criticism of breast screening is diagnosis of very slowly growing cancers, which would never have been diagnosed without screening and might never have caused trouble during that person’s lifetime.


• It’s important to remember - early detection does save lives . Most women who have breast screening have a true normal result – cancers are rarely missed. Most women DON’T ever get breast cancer. Even breast lumps, especially in young women, are usually not cancer. ( Men rarely get breast lumps, and even more rarely these may be cancerous ). Many cervical smears are truly negative - regular screening should detect most pre-cancerous changes.


• Women found to have abnormalities on screening are entitled to be fully informed about their significance and options for further treatment.
ALL patients with breast abnormalities – whether detected by screening, or with symptoms such as a lump – are, in the UK, discussed in confidence by " multidisciplinary team meetings " ( doctors and breast care nurses ). The wishes of the patient are rightly taken very seriously before any treatment.