New guidance has been produced to help GPs identify symptoms of cervical cancer and facilitate early diagnosis of the disease in young women.
In England, screening for cervical cancer starts at age 25. Cervical cancer is rare in young women but GPs still need to be aware of the symptoms so that they know when to refer them to a specialist.
The new guidance was produced after a working group of the Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening (ACCS) found that young women who visit their GP with abnormal bleeding often experience delays in diagnosis because they do not receive a full pelvic examination.
Now, GPs who encounter these symptoms will be able to follow an algorithm so that they know how best to manage their patient and are reminded of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance on gynecological symptoms.
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