Healthwatch Leicester and Healthwatch Leicestershire joins Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in saying we can make cervical cancer a thing of the past!
To mark Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23rd – 29th January) Healthwatch Leicester and Healthwatch Leicestershire is supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in its call to get towards a future where cervical cancer is a thing of the past. The charity is launching a campaign to End Cervical Cancer in the UK.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally. Everyday in the UK there are 9 new diagnoses and 2 women will lose their lives. In 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a global call for action to eliminate cervical cancer. For the first time ever, the world has committed to eliminating a cancer.
HPV vaccination and cervical screening can help prevent, and one day end cervical cancer. However, uptake has been falling in many parts of the country.
There has been a decline in the uptake of cervical screening in Leicester over the past 12 years, faster than the national average. Leicester has one of the lowest screening rates across England compared to other similar sized cities *
Healthwatch Leicester and Healthwatch Leicestershire will be sharing information on Social Media to help raise awareness of cervical cancer and the importance of cervical screening appointments.
Samantha Dixon, Chief Executive at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: ”A world without cervical cancer is in our reach, and we want to get there as soon as possible. By raising awareness of cervical screening and HPV vaccination, we can help stop more women developing cancer before it starts. We can all play our part to do this and get closer to ending cervical cancer.”
*Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group. 30th June 2022
