The LGF's 'Are You Ready for Your Screen Test?' campaign today
published its findings into people's opinions and experiences in
regards to cervical screening in the North West.
The twelve-month project (including a nine month awareness raising
initiative) was funded by the NHS Cervical Screening Programme and
is run alongside the University of Salford. During the project, the
research team approached almost 1000 lesbian and bisexual women
living in the North West.
There is a common belief among lesbian and bisexual women that
they do not need regular cervical screening tests, however the
campaign hoped to dispel this myth and raise participation
levels.
Cervical screening is a way of preventing cervical cancer from
developing by diagnosing the disease at an early stage. It is
recommended that women aged 25-49 should be tested at least every
three years and within every five years for women aged 50-64.
Although focussed on the North West, the findings will have
national repercussions as 99% of respondents supported running this
or a similar targeted campaign across the UK. Annie Emery, The
Lesbian and Gay Foundation's Programmes Manager said, "We want
lesbian and bisexual women to be getting the best and most accurate
health information."
The findings of the report demonstrate the need for targeted
campaigns such as this to ensure that evidence given to lesbian and
bisexual women is accurate and they are given appropriate
treatment. The Foundation now hopes to continue the progress made
by the campaign and to encourage LGB specific training for health
professionals.
For more information about the campaign and to find out how you
can get tested, visit www.lgf.org.uk/screening
