Transgender-friendly smear tests for ‘anyone with a cervix’

CANCER Research has removed the word “women” from its smear test screening campaign in order to ensure transgender people attend the tests.

While previously the charity urged women aged between 25 and 64 to get tested, it now pushes the service to “anyone with a cervix”.

A Twitter post from the campaign reads: “Cervical screening (or the smear test) is relevant for everyone aged 25-64 with a cervix. Watch our animation to find out what to expect when you go for screening.”

The charity has defended its choice of wording, pointing out that transgender men are often at risk of cervical cancer.

Fiona Osgun from Cancer Research UK said: “Cervical cancer develops in anyone who has a cervix. This includes women as well as people with other gender identities such as trans men. But screening might not be relevant for all women such as those who have had a full hysterectomy. We phrased our information on cervical screening awareness week to reflect this.”

The revamped campaign was created to coincide with Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, which started on Monday.

Cancer Research was recently accused of “fat-shaming” for an obesity campaign that featured posters which spelt out “OBESITY” with some missing letters.

It asked readers to guess what the biggest cause of cancer was, after

‘Cervical screening (or the smear test) is relevant for everyone aged 25-64 with a cervix’

smoking. Another advertisement featured chips presented in a cigarette packet. The charity defended itself, telling The Daily Telegraph the campaign was based on science and was not meant to “shame” anyone.

Prof Linda Bauld, Cancer Research UK’S prevention expert, said at the time: “The aim of the charity’s campaign is to raise awareness of the fact that obesity is the biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking. This is not about fat shaming.”