Cervical Cancer Prevention Week: 17-23 January

This year’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Week has a slightly different theme to previous years. One in three people with a cervix don’t attend cervical screening and, traditionally, Cervical Cancer Prevention Week has focused on underlining the importance of smear tests

Whilst the charity behind the week, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, still wants to talk about screening, it also now wants to draw attention to what happens after a smear test, in a bid to reduce fear and confusion.

Every year, 220,000 people are told they have cervical cell changes after their smear test, and many more are given an HPV diagnosis. This year, the aim is to focus on providing support and information to those who are struggling with what they are told.

Here are some tips on the best ways to get involved:

• Make sure to talk about cervical screening in store – by creating displays, giving out leaflets or asking customers if they’ve booked their regular smear test
• If your pharmacy has social media, you can post information about cervical cancer using the hashtag #CervicalCancerPreventionWeek
• Signpost customers to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust support services
• Take part in a fundraising challenge.

You can download free resources to help you raise awareness here.