Statement content in Gynaecology

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) understands that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s decision to choose the bivalent vaccine in 2008 was based on the brief to inoculate against cervical cancer caused by the strains of HPV 16 and 18.

Every year, within the UK, around 6,800 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, two-thirds of whom sadly die from the disease within five years.  Ovarian cancer is also known as the ‘silent killer’ because the presenting symptoms can be non-specific, resulting in delays in further investigations and subsequent diagnosis. 70% of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, which means that treatment will not be curative but aimed at maintaining prolongation of good quality life.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) condemns the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).

The use of long acting reversible contraceptives has been encouraged in the UK to help reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies. Over the last few years there has been a significant increase in the use of sub-dermal implants.

The Royal College of Obstetricians (RCOG) welcomes the new guidance published by the Department of Health for cervical cancer screening in young women. The Clinical practice guidelines for the assessment of young women aged 20-24 with abnormal vaginal bleeding¹ aims to help GPs identify symptoms and diagnose young women with cervical cancer early.