Lauren Goodger joins Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust for major campaign launch in Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
It claims three lives every day but cervical cancer can be prevented – that is the message from The Only Way Is Essex star Lauren Goodger as she joins a leading charity today to launch a UK-wide campaign for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (22-28 January).
Close to 17 million people are expected to see the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust poster in venues across the UK and Goodger says she hopes her more than half a million Twitter followers will help spread the message, Cervical cancer can be prevented. Don’t ignore your cervical screening invitation.’
“I have personal experience of cervical abnormalities and so do two people who are very close to me – one of them found out only two weeks ago. I know first-hand how important it is for changes to be picked up so any treatment that is needed can be done quickly. We are talking about something which could mean the difference between life and death.”
Around 5,000 lives are saved each year through the NHS cervical screening programme but according to latest figures one in five women are not taking up their invitation to attend the test and for women under 35 that figure is even worse, with more than one in three not attending.
The 25 year old ITV 2 star discovered she had abnormal cells from her mum, Cheryl. “I had had a test and it was my mum who read me the letter from the hospital asking me to come in for treatment. She knew exactly how I was feeling because she had gone through exactly the same thing when she was younger and had treatment
“I admit I panicked and when I told my friend, she burst into tears. This is the trouble. So many women don’t understand about the causes and symptoms or the tests and treatments for cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities. The result is they are terrified when they get abnormal results or they don’t even go for testing in the first place. That’s why I am backing the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust campaign.
“There will be posters everywhere letting women know that cervical cancer can be prevented and letting them know where they can find out more about what they can do to reduce their risk.
“Too many women are unaware that cervical screening is about picking up cell changes. It’s not a test for cancer. There is no need to be scared and they must not put it off. This five minute test can catch things early and it could save your life.
Lauren’s sister Nicola, 29, went along with her when she had her laser treatment for cervical abnormalities. “Then, two weeks ago, she found out she has abnormalities. But she isn’t panicking. After going through it with me and knowing about my mum she understands so much more than we did.
“When you get your screening invitation, don’t ignore it and if you are not yet eligible for screening and notice any of the symptoms that might indicate a problem you go straight to your GP. You have to keep on top of this.
“I still find it weird when people refer to me as a celebrity and it seems crazy that anyone would care what I do. But I have lots of female fans, loads of them amongst more than half a million who follow me on Twitter and the power of a tweet is amazing. In this case I really hope as many women as possible see what I am doing and listen to what I have to say on behalf of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.”
Rob Music, Director of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s only dedicated charity offering support and information for those affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities, said: “We are thrilled that Lauren Goodger is joining us in Cervical Cancer Prevention Week for our campaign. I know she will be fantastic in helping us raise awareness.
“We have posters going up in 270 venues across the country. In shopping malls, service stations, bars, clubs and washrooms women will be able to see this vital message and even take it away with them. There will be 68,000 credit card-sized tear offs containing details of our website and helpline - and there is a scan code to send information on taking steps to prevent cervical cancer to your phone.
“Every three hours in the UK a woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer but it is preventable.”
For more information contact Elizabeth Udall, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust on 07515 852690 or elizabethudall@btinternet.com
Notes to editor
• Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust (www.jostrust.org.uk) . National Helpline 0808 802 8000
• Around three women in the UK die each day from cervical cancer, with someone being diagnosed every three hours facing an uncertain future. Over 300,000 women a year are told they may have a cervical abnormality that could require treatment.
• It is estimated that the NHS Cervical Screening Programme saves 5,000 lives every year. Cervical cancer is predominantly caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which can be caught as soon as you start having intimate relationships
• The symptoms of cervical cancer can include: abnormal bleeding during or after sex, or between periods; post-menopausal bleeding, if you are not on HRT or have stopped it for six week; unusual and/or unpleasant vaginal discharge; discomfort or pain during sex; lower back pain
• According to research funded by Cancer Research UK and presented at the National Cancer Research Institute’s annual conference in November 2011, the incidence of cervical cancer in women in their 20s has risen by over 40 per cent between 1992 and 2006 in England, despite the overall incidence of cervical cancer dropping by 30 per cent.
• High res images of the photos are available on request
Last updated: 22/01/2012
