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<p>Ministers have regular meetings with Public Health England (PHE) about their public
awareness campaigns including Be Clear on Cancer. The focus of national Be Clear on
Cancer awareness campaigns (led by PHE since 1 April 2013) to date has been on cancers
with the largest number of avoidable deaths, compared with countries with the best
survival rates. These include breast cancer (particularly targeting older women),
bowel cancer, lung cancer, kidney/bladder cancers and stomach/oesophageal cancers.
However, anecdotal evidence suggests that there is a “halo” effect from these campaigns
which can help to encourage earlier presentation to general practitioners (GPs) with
any worrying symptom.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department will continue to
work with PHE, NHS England and other stakeholders, to keep these campaigns under review
and work with relevant experts to see what might be done to tackle awareness of the
symptoms of other cancers, such as cervical cancer.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In
March 2010, new guidance was published for primary care on the management of young
women who present with gynaecological symptoms, following concerns from the Advisory
Committee on Cervical Screening that young women presenting to primary care with symptoms
of cervical cancer were not always being given the best advice. The guidance was produced
by a multi-disciplinary group, including professionals, patients and the voluntary
sector. It was reviewed by a number of GPs, and was endorsed by the Royal College
of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of General Practitioners and
the Royal College of Physicians.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The guidance, ‘Clinical
practice guidelines for the assessment of young women aged 20-24 with abnormal vaginal
bleeding’ can be found at:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107105354/http:/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_113478"
target="_blank">http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107105354/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_113478</a></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Women under 25 who are concerned about their risk of developing
cervical cancer should contact their GP.</p><p> </p>
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