Mum urges girls to get cancer jab
Teaching assistant Becky Burkill knows how important it is to be aware of the dangers of cervical cancer.
The Wigan mum today supported the Arm Against Cervical Cancer campaign to vaccinate girls across the borough, having been diagnosed with the condition last year.
After an abnormal smear result, the Ashton 37-year-old was sent for a colposcopy to further examine the changes in cells on the cervix at the neck of the womb.
Becky was informed that she was in the early stages of cancer and following a biopsy and consultation with a specialist was told that the best form of treatment would be a hysterectomy.
Becky said: "I hadn't experienced any symptoms, so I'm just glad that I went for the smear test, otherwise the doctors may not have caught it at such an early stage. It is so important for people to be aware of this disease and take precautions to protect themselves.
"The introduction of the HPV vaccine is a great way to help protect our children.
"My own daughter is only eight at the moment, but I will be keen to explain the importance of the vaccination when she is older to help her understand how it could potentially save her life."
Following her operation at Hope Hospital in Salford last December, Becky has made a good recovery and was able to return to work in March.
Nearly 2,000 12 and 13-year-old girls and their parents across Wigan have now been contacted by NHS Ashton, Leigh and Wigan to encourage the uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This vaccine offers protection against the commonest cause of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is one of the major causes of cancer deaths in women after lung and breast cancer, and the second commonest cause of cancer in women under 35 years.
Around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK each year, 1,000 women die each year.
Every year in the Wigan borough, seven women die of cervical cancer, but this can possibly be prevented through the introduction of the HPV vaccine alongside with the existing cervical screening programme. The initiative, part of a national Government campaign, Arm Against
Cancer, began with parents receiving consent forms sent via the school health team and the vaccination programme began in Wigan Borough last month, with the administration of second doses starting this week.
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
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