Glasgow City are supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity, because #SmearTestsSaveLives.
Almost 1 in 3 women and other people with a cervix don’t attend vital cervical screening, otherwise known as the ‘smear test’. The trust is on a mission to change that, in Scotland and beyond – because #SmearTestsSaveLives. Glasgow City FC are partnering with the charity for the season to share potentially life-saving messages. Visit the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website to find out more about what smear tests involve, why they’re so important and how you can make sure your smear test works for you: www.jostrust.org.uk.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust chief executive Samantha Dixon said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Glasgow City FC to spread the word that #SmearTestsSaveLives. There can be so many reasons cervical screening (smear tests) can be a difficult test. This includes not knowing what the test is for, embarrassment, anxiety or work commitments. One of our aims at Jo’s is to make sure that everyone has the information and support they need to get tested, and we’re so pleased that Glasgow City FC are joining us on that mission this season.”
One of the biggest barriers for non-attendance of screenings often tends to be work.
• 1 in 5 have had to use their annual leave to attend a cervical screening appointment
• 62% say that an increase in discussion about women’s health in the workplace would make them feel more comfortable taking time off to look after their health
• 15% have delayed a cervical screening because they felt unable to take time off work
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust want to change this, and are encouraging employers to sign up to Time to Test. This means committing to giving employees the time they need to attend these appointments, as well as raising the profile of cervical screening and cervical cancer in the workplace. Glasgow City FC have signed up to this.
Glasgow City CEO Laura Montgomery on the partnership with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust: “As a club that champions women and girls, women’s health is an important priority for us. We are delighted to partner with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and join their campaign to encourage as many women as possible to get tested regularly. As the campaign states, smear tests save lives, it as simple as that and we look forward to promoting this message throughout the season and helping as many women as possible.”
In Glasgow & Clyde, the testing rate is the lowest across the whole of Scotland at 61.4%. This compares to Shetland at the top of the table with a 78.5% rate. Glasgow City hope this partnership can really highlight awareness and generate a growth of testing numbers within the area.
