IF you’re a female aged between 24 and 49 and haven’t had a cervical smear test in the last three years, you really should ask yourself why.
Regular screening can prevent 75 per cent of cervical cancers and only takes five minutes, yet in the North West 32.5 per cent of women don’t attend tests – leaving over 83,000 at risk.
As part of Cervical Screening Awareness Week (9-15 June), the University of Salford and the NHS are launching their Cat That Got The Screen web and social media viral campaign. Participants can create their own cat-themed postcard using the campaign website or watch a slightly bizarre cat video on YouTube.
The somewhat uncouth campaign aims to tap into the internet obsession with cats and 'meme' culture in a bid to encourage young women to get involved, and ultimately book an appointment with their doctor.
As the saying goes, any press is good press, and if creating puerile ‘mogshots’ helps raise cervical screening awareness among younger women who, according to academics from the health departments ‘can’t be reached or influenced by the traditional messages used by the NHS’, then it’ll be a job well done.
Let just hope young women have the common sense to take the initiative of their own accord.
For more information about cervical screening please visit thecatthatgotthescreen.org
