South Tyneside women urged not to miss lifesaving test

Marsden Road Health and Wellbeing Centre, South Shields, has joined forces with national charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, for Cervical Cancer Preventions Awareness Week.

Figures show eight women in the UK are diagnosed with the disease, and three lose their lives to it, every day.

The cancer is largely preventable due to cervical screening and the HPV vaccination programme. However, experts say the uptake of the screening is falling each year.

Practice manager Nadine Farrow said the centre provides comprehensive, easy-to-understand information about cervical cancer, cervical abnormalities and their subsequent treatments all year round.

She added: “Put simply, it’s a test that could save your life. Being screened is not a test for cancer, it’s a test to check the health of the cells of the cervix, and most women’s test results show everything is normal.

“Being screened regularly means that any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix can be identified at an early stage and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing.”

A promotional stand will be based within the health centre in Marsden Road, from now until Friday.

As part of the promotion campaign, a cake is being raffled to raise money for support services.

London-based Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to women and their families affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities.

For more information, visit www.jostrust.org.uk