Cancer Data Base

GPs have been issued with new advice to help tackle cervical cancer rates in the UK.

The guidance was given in order to speed up the diagnoses of the cancer and improve the management of treatment when dealing with young women with gynaecological symptoms.

While there are 55 new cases of cervical cancer every week in the UK, it is treatable and has fairly high rates of survival.

According to the Cancer Research charity, over 85 per cent of women under 40 beat the illness.

Health minister Ann Keen commented: "The independent (cap up?)Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening told us that screening women under the age of 25 did more harm than good but that more work needs to be done to ensure patients with symptoms are treated correctly."

She added: "That is why this new guidance will support GPs and practice nurses to identify symptoms and refer where necessary to specialist services."

There are nearly 3,000 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in Britain each year.