Local woman announces launch of new Leeds support group

A local woman is set to launch a pioneering support group, backed by a national charity.

The group is the first of its kind for Leeds and the region and is for women dealing with cervical cancer, which kills around three UK women every day and sees one woman every three hours being diagnosed and facing an uncertain future.

Jane Williams has been trained by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the only dedicated UK charity for women and those close to them affected by cervical abnormalities and cervical cancer.

Jane, a health professional specialising in women’s health says, “This group gives women the chance to get together, knowing everyone there shares similar experiences.

“It will offer whatever support is needed – whether that’s reassurance, information, or simply the chance to relax and have a chat.”

Jo Hings, who lives with her husband and two children in Leeds, has already been in touch with Jane to tell her she will be there for the first group on 12 March.

Jo, a 42 year old primary school teacher, underwent a radical hysterectomy after being diagnosed with cervical cancer in June 2008. “I am so pleased this is coming to our area. It will be great to meet with other women who understand what I’ve been through because they’ve been through it themselves - or are going through it right now.”

Jane, who lives near Halifax, hopes the group will meet up every couple of months. “We have a lovely venue in a shopping centre that’s easily accessible for Leeds and the surrounding areas, with free parking.”

Robert Music, Director of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “I know that this group will offer wonderful support to women affected by cervical cancer in this community. Women we have supported told us they needed groups like this, they saw a gap and we are delighted to be filling that gap. Over the coming months we will see many more groups across the UK offering this vital local service.”

For details of the first meeting visit www.jostrust.org.uk

For more information and to arrange interviews contact Elizabeth Udall, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, on 07515 852690 or [email protected]

Notes for Editors
1. Jo’s Cervical Cancer trust –www.jostrust.org.uk - is the UK’s only dedicated cervical cancer charity offering support and information for those affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities.
2. The charity’s new national helpline is on 0808 802 8000. It can be called by anyone within the UK and offers reliable information, support and signposting on a wide range of topics, including initial screening concerns and screening results, treatment, recovery and palliative care.
3. 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.
4. It is estimated that the UK Cervical Screening Programmes save 5,000 lives every year and if HPV vaccination take up continues to reach at least 80% it is believed this could result in a 2/3rds reduction in incidence in women under 30 by 2025.
5. Although cervical screening coverage across the UK has remained steady (based on the last five years), uptake figures for 2009-10 were lower than 2008-9 when there was an upsurge in screening attendance due to the ‘Jade Goody effect’