New cancer campaign

Midwives recruited to send message

A programme to promote cervical screening among new mums has been launched in Rutherglen by Cancer Research UK and NHS Lanarkshire.

The charity is working with health visitors and midwives to provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills.

Cervical screening aims to prevent cervical cancer from developing by finding and treating abnormal cell changes that could lead to cancer if left untreated.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Scotland in women aged under 35 and every year around 100 women across the country sadly die from the disease.

Dr Jennifer Darnborough, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Cancer Research UK on this exciting project to raise awareness of cervical cancer and screening in younger women and we hope it will boost cervical screening uptake in this age group.

“We need to do more to help women understand that the test is about preventing cervical cancer rather than diagnosing it and to take seriously women’s practical and emotional concerns about taking the test.

“We hope that by working together with Cancer Research UK and our health visitors and midwives we can provide a trusted source of information that will help address these practical and emotional concerns and help more young women in Lanarkshire to take this potentially life-saving test.”

Gillian Phillips of Cancer Research UK, who is leading the initiative, said: “Time, fear and embarrassment are common reasons why younger women don’t attend cervical screening tests.

“Women can worry that the test is for cervical cancer itself, which can make them anxious and afraid.

“They don’t always understand that regular cervical screening can prevent cancer by picking up early changes in cells that can be treated.

“Some women might also worry it might be a male GP doing the test or they feel body-conscious after having a baby or they’re concerned it will hurt more after having a baby.

“Midwives and health visitors are extremely well-placed to have conversations with women as they have regular contact with mums following the birth of their child.

“Not only are they known to the women but they are a trusted source of information.”

We need to take seriously women’s concerns about the test