With over 20% of women in the UK still not taking up their screening invitation, Cervical Screening Awareness Week (CSAW) aims to highlight the importance of cervical screening in preventing cervical cancer. The week, lead by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, saw a significant increase in news coverage, website visits and request for literature from healthcare professionals.

During the week Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust:

• Launched an outdoor advertising campaign on buses across five major cities which included London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester. Buses across each city carried the message ‘cervical screening saves lives’ and had a potential reach of 5.5million people.
• Raised awareness through the issue of a national news story that in England cervical screening uptake faced a ten year low in 2012. The story was then adapted for Scotland and Wales. The charity and our supporter case studies bolstered the story by participating in a range of media interviews from TV and radio to magazines and newspapers. Coverage achieved included Daybreak, Sky, BBC, Telegraph, Mirror, Daily Mail, Independent, The Scotsman, Stylist several BBC radio stations and Heart FM. To read some of the online articles check out our news section.
• Worked in partnership with Cervical Screening Wales to help promote CSAW in Wales. This included holding a photocall in the capital with one of our buses whilst media interviews were conducted with case study Karen Holroyd and the charity. Coverage achieved included BBC Wales and ITV Wales.
• Contributed to Sky Living’s documentary titled Jade’s Legacy: The Fight Goes On which followed women in their difference stages of battling cervical cancer and included an interview with the charity’s Director Robert Music.
• Coordinated seven Walk for Fun events in London, Southampton, Norwich, Peterborough, Gateshead, Manchester and Dundee with over 300 walkers raising over £10,000 in sponsorship monies.
• Worked with celebrity ambassador Lauren Goodger who helped promote CSAW through Twitter and through fundraising for and leading the London Walk for Fun.
• Launched the 2012 Cervical Screening Awards which aim to recognise innovative local campaigns across the country which have raised awareness of the importance of cervical screening and have improved screening rates.
• Distributed materials to health practices, hospitals, individuals and companies to promote cervical screening and cervical cancer prevention
• Utilised our digital platforms including Twitter and Facebook to increase online chatter and further momentum of CSAW throughout the week

With 2012 being the most successful CSAW campaign to date, we would like to thank everyone that helped us raise awareness, donating both time and money to such an important cause. We couldn’t do it without you!