Cervical cancer awareness campaign in store

MARKS & SPENCER (M&S) has teamed up with the Marie Keating Foundation to educate women on cervical cancer.

Called It Starts With You, the awareness campaign is aimed at demystifying the disease by providing the latest information on cervical cancer.

Ireland has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in Europe.

Every year, 180 women in the State are diagnosed with the disease and 70 die from it.

The virus is very common, with 80% of sexually active women unknowingly contracting the virus at some time in their lives.

In most cases, the infection is cleared by the body’s immune system.

It is believed, however, that vaccines and a national screening programme could virtually eliminate the disease.

The campaign is supported by GlaxoSmith-Kline and includes an information leaflet and website: www.preventcervicalcancer.ie.

Chief executive of the All Ireland Cancer Foundation Dr Henrietta Campbell stressed that cervical cancer is a preventable condition.

Dr Campbell said the foundation wanted to see an increased awareness of cervical cancer right across Ireland, an early decision on the introduction of a national vaccination programme, and the rapid roll-out of a national screening programme.

She pointed out that it had been known for more than 20 years that cervical cancer screening saved lives, and that the death rate had fallen rapidly where there were national detection programmes.

Director-general of the European Cervical Cancer Association, Dr Philip Davies, said it was possible to virtually eliminate cervical cancer in developed countries.

But, he stressed, the vaccines worked best before females became sexually active.

Dr Davis dismissed as “nonsense” that the vaccine could give the wrong message to young girls.

To kick off the campaign, a limited edition phone charm will be on sale at €3 at select tills in 10 M&S stores around the country this month.

The proceeds will go directly to the Marie Keating Foundation to support its efforts to raise awareness of cervical cancer and prevention of the disease.