NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group is using the power of social media to support the national #SmearForSmear campaign during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (21 – 27 January).
The campaign, which has been set up by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, aims to raise awareness of the importance of cervical screening and to encourage eligible women to attend their smear tests.
The week of action on social media encourages people to smear lipstick on their face and post a selfie with a tip or word of support as to why cervical screening is important.
Locally, staff from NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group have taken part, and the campaign in Warrington has so far also received support the Liverpool Collegiate Bluebirds’ rugby team and from driving instructors across the town.
Tilly Dobbin, Cancer Screening Coordinator at NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Sadly, nationally, cervical screening rates are at an all-time low and this is something that needs to be addressed.
“NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group are supporting the #SmearForSmear campaign to help raise awareness across Warrington, so that eligible women in our town feel confident enough to attend their cervical screening appointments. We hope that you, too, will encourage the women in your life to attend their appointment.
“Screening is important because it detects abnormal cells before they develop into cervical cancer; if left to experience symptoms before getting screened, the chances of being diagnosed with later stage cancer is much higher, which unfortunately, has much poorer outcomes.
“So, ladies, please attend your smear test, because although it feels like there are a million other things that are more important, your health really should be priority.”
