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Wed, 06/07/2011 - 01:00
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is calling on MLAs to make reduction of a disease which sees a woman diagnosed every three hours and which claims three lives a day a priority.
The UK’s only charity dedicated to those affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities has chosen national Cervical Screening Awareness Week to appeal to the new Northern Ireland administration for urgent action.
Speaking ahead of the event at Stormont on Tuesday Robert Music, Director of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said: “We would like to see a commitment from Members of the Legislative Assembly to make cervical cancer reduction a key priority.
“Latest figures show screening coverage in Northern Ireland at 76.7% - that means almost one in four women is not attending screening when invited.
“We are calling for improved campaigning around screening and HPV immunisation awareness and we would like to see increased support for women with cervical cancer in Northern Ireland.
“We are also asking for plans for the introduction of HPV testing in Northern Ireland to be published as soon as possible as this is the only part of the UK without such plans.”
Michele Gildernew MLA, Chair of the Health Committee said: “I am delighted to be Chairing this important meeting. Cervical cancer is now a preventable disease. It is vital that all women take up the offer of regular cervical screening, and that young women take the opportunity to be vaccinated against HPV infection when it is offered. Screening only takes a few minutes but those few minutes could save your life.”
The meeting’s co-Host Paula Bradley MLA (Democratic Unionist Party) said: “I am pleased that I am able to support Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust by sponsoring this meeting. I know from personal experience that cervical cancer impacts on many women every year. Thankfully the screening programme has helped reduce the effect the illness can have, but still far too many women do not attend for screening when invited. It is imperative that everyone involved in preventing cancer in Northern Ireland works together to ensure we improve screening rates.”
Co Host Judith Cochrane MLA (Alliance Party) said:
“Cervical cancer is a disease that through regular screening and immunisation can be prevented. Yet still too many women in Northern Ireland fail to attend when invited for cervical screening. I fully support calls to improve screening and immunisation rates in order to further reduce the impact this disease can have on women and their families.”
Ends
7th June 2011
Notes for Editors
1. The Stormont event is taking place on Tuesday 7 June. National Cervical Screening Awareness Week starts on 6 June 2011. 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. The Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust Stormont event was sponsored by Roche Diagnostics Limited.