Cervical cancer charity concerned at the numbers of UK women not using opportunities to prevent cervical cancer
Embargoed until 00:01 on Sunday 24th January
News Release
Cervical cancer charity concerned at numbers of UK women not using opportunities to prevent cervical cancer
At the launch of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (January 24-30th 2010), Jo’s Trust, the UK’s only dedicated cervical cancer charity is urging women in the UK to attend cervical screening or have the HPV vaccination if eligible.
Robert Music, director of Jo’s Trust said “The UK is fortunate to have both cervical screening and HPV vaccination programmes. However, there is a real concern over the numbers of women and girls not taking the opportunity to use these potentially life saving programmes.”
“In 2007-8, 20% of women invited overall for cervical screening did not attend with 34% of 25-29 year olds not attending. In 2008-9 there was an increase in women going for screening which was very much down to Jade Goody being so public about her battle with cervical cancer. However, around 1 in 3 women aged 25-34 still didn’t go for screening despite this extraordinary awareness and we are concerned that the ‘Jade Effect’ is already wearing off. In addition, the number of older girls taking part in the HPV vaccination ‘catch up’ programme is only around 50%.”
With such a high percentage of young women not taking the opportunity to make use of these programmes, Jo’s Trust has put in place a long term strategy to run targeted education campaigns to increase awareness of cervical screening and HPV vaccination. During Prevention Week, two campaigns will be launched:
1. Postcards and posters with a modern, feminine feel and simple message that screening and vaccination could save lives are to be placed in foyers and washrooms of 167 cinemas. The campaign has the potential to reach over 3.4 million people during that period.
2. A pilot programme funded by the Department of Health will run a cervical screening advert in 100 GP surgeries based in communities where screening uptake is low. The charity will evaluate the project to see if the advert prompted more women to ask to be screened.
Health Minister Ann Keen said: "Our cervical screening programme is world class and saves the lives of up to 4,500 women every year. Early detection and treatment can prevent the large majority of cervical cancers developing in women who attend regularly when invited by the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. In addition research published this week said that the new HPV vaccination programme will prevent two thirds of cervical cancers in women aged under 30 by 2025.”
"We are delighted to be working with Jo’s Trust in their efforts to educate women about the importance of cervical screening and the HPV vaccination programme, which I hope will increase the number of women attending screening and young girls and women having the vaccine to save even more lives.”
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22nd January 2010
Jo’s Trust, 16 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3ED
Email: info@jotrust.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 7936 7498 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7936 7598 Website: www.jotrust.co.uk
Reg Charity No: 1076289
NOTES TO EDITORS
- 1. Jo’s Trust – www.jotrust.co.uk – is a registered charity established in 1999 by James Maxwell in memory of his wife, Jo, who died of cervical cancer aged 40. Jo’s Trust is the UK’s only dedicated cervical cancer charity offering support and information for women, their families and friends affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities.
- Around 1,000 women die from cervical cancer in the UK each year with 2,800 newly diagnosed.
- Since its launch 20 years ago, the NHS Cervical Screening Programme has been highly successful, saving an estimated 4,500 lives every year.
- In the UK, girls in year 8 at school (aged 12 to 13) are offered the HPV vaccine. There is also a year 'catch up' programme in place to vaccinate girls aged between 13 and 18.
- Cervical cancer is predominantly caused by the Human Papilliomavirus (HPV) which can be caught as soon as you start having intimate relationships.
Further information:
For all Jo’s Trust enquiries please contact: Robert Music, Director: 020 7936 7498, 07980 720061, Robert@jotrust.co.uk
Last updated: 20/04/2010
