Dear Sir,
3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK every year. It is the most common cancer in women under the age of 35 years, yet it is the 25-35 year old age group that are least likely to attend for cervical screening (smear tests.)
Cervical Screening is a way of identifying cell changes in the cervix so treatment can be received BEFORE cancer develops. Screening only takes 15 minutes and appointments are available at Bewick Crescent Surgery in evening clinics for those ladies who would prefer that to a daytime appointment. Women are often guilty of putting other members of the family before themselves. Work and childcare can get in the way and it’s easy to think of an excuse not to attend for screening. By promoting our “pamper hamper” we’d like ladies to take a little time for themselves. Please ring and book an appointment if your smear test is due/overdue. It really does only take a few minutes and could save your life.
To try and encourage ladies to attend, I wrote to local businesses asking for donations towards a “pamper hamper.” Each lady that attends for their smear test receives a raffle ticket to win a hamper of goodies and the raffle is drawn at the end of each month.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our friends at Tesco and Creations Hair Salon for their kind donations to date. If any other local business should wish to contribute to our monthly raffle, please do not hesitate to contact the surgery with details.
(Dr Ruth Hewitt.)
Joanne Jones
