A team of health care professionals from the St David’s Gynaecology Outpatients Department at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, recently completed the Chester Half Marathon to promote awareness of cervical cancer and they also raised £3,065 for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, which is dedicated to helping those affected by cervical abnormalities and cervical cancer.
The ‘St David’s Runners’ team consisted of specialist nurses, Gynae-Oncologists, and Colposcopists, who all work in the gynaecological outpatient department at the hospital, and they regularly see the devastating impact that a cervical cancer diagnosis has on women, their families and friends.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to women affected by cervical cancer and abnormalities, and through their fundraising the team wanted to ensure more women know how they can reduce their risk of the disease and also where they can find support.
Janet from the St David’s Runners team said: “We have regular clinics involving women with abnormal smears and cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can be devastating, affecting many young women worldwide.
“Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust provide great support for patients, families and health care professionals. In recognition of the incredible work they do, we wanted to both raise awareness and funds for the charity to help achieve their vision to make cervical cancer a disease of the past.”
Cervical Screening
Over 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and a further 220,000 with a cervical abnormality that may require treatment. Cervical screening provides the best protection against the disease yet 1 in 4 women in Wales don’t attend their cervical screening when invited.
Cervical screening uptake in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is currently at 77.4% with Welsh screening attendance now at 11 year low (77.0%).
Robert Music, Chief Executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said: “It’s fantastic that the St David’s Runners team set themselves the impressive challenge of running the Chester Half Marathon for Jo’s.
“With 1 in 4 women not attending their smear test, it’s more important than ever that we work with healthcare professionals to raise awareness about the importance of the test.
“We also want every woman who needs support or information to be able to find us and it is only through incredible supporters such as the St. David’s Runners, that we can do this. Everyone at Jo’s would like to thank them for raising awareness about the charity and smear tests.”
