Council joins charity to encourage Cervical Screening attendance
To mark Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (17-23 January), we’re raising awareness of cervical screening, and potential results, and encouraging women and people with a cervix not to ignore their invitation to screening.
In Kirklees the most recent cervical screening coverage was;
- 70.9% for 25-49 year olds
- 78.2% coverage for 50-64 year olds
Both these percentages are higher than the national average. However, these percentages did also highlight that 21,886 25-49-year-olds and 8,611 50-64-year-olds, eligible for cervical screening haven’t attended.
Cervical screening isn’t always easy, and with COVID it can be even harder. We’re encouraging the sharing of tips and experiences to help others feel more able to attend.
Cervical cancer prevention doesn’t stop at screening.
220,000 women and people with a cervix are told every year they have cervical cell changes after their screening, and many more are given a HPV diagnosis.
Most people don’t know anything about this until they have been for cervical screening. Read more about cervical cell changes.
By sharing stories and tips during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week the aim is to support those facing an unexpected result and to let them know they are not alone.
Samantha Dixon, Chief Executive at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust:
“We want everyone to have the support and facts they need to access cervical screening and deal with an unexpected result. Cervical screening can help stop cervical cancer before it starts so it’s an incredibly important test. Help raise awareness by sharing your story this week and show others they aren’t alone.”
Councillor Musarrat Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care said:
“I fully support any activity that raises awareness of the importance of cervical cancer screening. The Public Health team in Kirklees is working with colleagues in the NHS to encourage all women invited for cervical screening to take up their screening invitation. We cannot emphasise the importance enough as this kind of screening can be life-saving for those affected.”