Cervical Cancer Awareness Week 2024: Charity Funds Research Grant for Cervical Health Literacy Intervention Research Project
26 January 2024
Designed to generate pilot data for future extensive studies, this effort aims to make health information more accessible and encourage preventive healthcare behaviours.
This proposal aims to provide educational support and train local community health champions on the importance of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination.
Researchers will collaborate with local community champions and organisations such as Wandsworth Community Empowerment Network (WCEN), and other organisations to develop a training module over three months for community education.
The module will be translated into locally relevant languages, including Urdu. We will conduct community education sessions with local community leaders, women and the general public as part of public engagement over six months.
The success of the stand-alone project will be measured by increased awareness, higher participation in screenings, and improved uptake of HPV vaccination within the community.
Over 3,000 people a year are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK, and there are over 800 deaths. NHS England has committed to eliminating cervical cancer by 2040.
Speaking at NHS Providers’ annual conference in 2023, NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “It is truly momentous to be able to set out such an important, life-saving ambition today.
“To eliminate cervical cancer would be an incredible achievement and through a combination of our HPV vaccination programme, and our highly-effective cervical screening programme, it could become a reality in the next two decades.
“Vaccination and screening are the key tools which mean we are one step closer to achieving this and the NHS is already making it easier than ever before for people to protect themselves and their families – whether it’s through community outreach in areas of lower uptake or expanding the NHS app so that everyone has their vaccine history and booking options in the palm of their hand.
“As ever, the public can play their part by coming forward for their vaccines and screening appointments when invited
“To achieve our goal of eliminating cervical cancer, we need as many people as possible to take up the offer, so please don’t delay – it could save your life.”
NHS data highlights a stark difference in cervical screening uptake in areas with a significant Muslim population. In North Yorkshire where Muslims make up less than 1% of the population uptake is 78%, compared to Tower Hamlets where the uptake is 53% and the Muslim population is 39.9%.
Vivien Gunn, Head of Grants, said: “I am delighted that the Charity has been able to provide funding for this research grant, and in the process support NHS England’s commitment to eliminating cervical cancer by 2024.
“Cervical cancer uptake has fallen within the past two decades, so it’s important to identify areas where cervical health awareness is low and act accordingly.
“Hopefully with our colleagues in the Trust we can be a driving force to increasing cervical health awareness in South London, not only in increasing awareness in Muslims and ethnic minorities, but also other communities that may need increased focus such as trans men and non-binary people who have not undergone masculinising genital surgery.
“I look forward to hearing about the impact the research has, and the extensive studies that develop from this. We are committed not only to supporting St George’s Trust and its hospitals but also the community it serves and this grant is vital to that.”
