British Athletes join forces for our new campaign to help eliminate cervical cancer
Paralympic gold medallist Erin Kennedy MBE and four-time Olympian Donna Fraser OBE, who were diagnosed with cancer during the height of their careers, have joined forces for a new campaign to help eliminate cervical cancer.
The athletes are now urging women to attend their cervical screening appointment, as it can prevent cervical cancer.
Cervical screening is offered to women and all people with a cervix, between the ages of 25 to 64, and helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for a virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can cause abnormal cells to develop in the cervix. Over time these abnormal cells can turn into cancer if left untreated.
We have developed the campaign in parternship with the other NHS Cancer Alliances in London. We know that currently, only 58% of 25 to 49-year-olds living in London attend their cervical screening. The attendance is higher for 50 to 64-year-olds living in London at 70%. (Source: NHS Digital).
The launch of the advertising campaign coincides with the Paris 2024 Games and will be streamed across cinema screens in London, on Sky TV and social media (TikTok, Facebook and Instagram) from Friday 26th July to Monday 12th August. Audiences will see Erin and Donna talking about their cancer journey and how they hope to be a beacon of hope for those affected by cancer.
Both athletes are strong advocates for women’s health and are hoping to harness the feel-good spirit of the 2024 Paris Games to encourage women to prioritise their health and attend their NHS cervical screening appointment – as it can prevent cervical cancer.
Find out more about Erin and Donna’s story here: https://www.londoncervicalscreening.com/
How can I support the campaign?
Friday 26th July to Monday 12th August, you can publish a post from your organisation’s Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts using the provided social media assets. Please find our social media toolkit attached and links to assets, on Google Drive, here.
Please use the hashtags #WereInTheRace and #GetScreenedNow on all social media posts.
Colleagues working in primary care can inform their administrative and clinical colleagues about the campaign, so they are prepared to handle more questions about cervical screening and requests for appointments.
I have a question(s), how can I get in touch?
Pease contact Sam Lewis, Early Diagnosis Lead at SELCA on Samantha.Lewis@gstt.nhs.uk and Sabrina Palanee, Communications Manager at SELCA on Sabrina.Palanee@gstt.nhs.uk