J+D Forecasting joins forces with charity to raise awareness of the importance of cervical screening
Worrying new research has found that only 1 in 5 full-time workers were able to get a convenient cervical screening appointment last time they tried to book. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity, cautions that inability to get appointments around work is causing many to delay potentially lifesaving screening.
J+D Forecasting has signed up to the Time to Test campaign to raise awareness of this issue and to support its team to attend their appointments.
Getting a screening test around working hours can be difficult for many people. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust are concerned that COVID has exacerbated this, as 1 in 3 say they feel less able to take time off to attend medical appointments because of the pandemic. To help address this, J+D Forecasting have made a commitment to their staff that they can attend a screening during work hours, if unable to get an appointment at a different time.
J+D Forecasting are also supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust by raising the profile of cervical screening and cervical cancer in the workplace and empowering their team to look after their cervical health. The Time to Test campaign encourages raising awareness of cervical screening at work after 62% said that an increase in discussion about women’s health in the workplace would make them feel more comfortable taking time off for appointments.
David James, CEO at J+D Forecasting, said:
“I fully support the Time to Test initiative, and we want to encourage and support everyone who works for J+D to attend their cervical screening appointments. Regular screening helps to protect against cervical cancer, and we want all employees to feel supported in taking time to prioritise their own health and wellbeing.”
Cervical screening is a test that saves thousands of lives every year, yet, in the UK 1 in 4 women and people with a cervix don’t attend their cervical screening (smear test) appointments when they are invited. While there are many reasons it can be a difficult test, getting an appointment around work can be a huge challenge. Jo’s want to change that.
Time to Test is a campaign run by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity. They provide valuable, trustworthy information and support for anyone who has questions or wants to talk about any aspect of cervical screening and results, and are there for anyone with a cell changes or cervical cancer diagnosis.
Samantha Dixon, Chief Executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust:
“There are many barriers to cervical screening but work is a very practical one which we can and should try to tackle. Whilst every workplace is different, we’re calling on employers to find a way to offer their staff Time to Test, especially as we start returning to offices, we must try to avoid putting more barriers in place. It’s worrying to see so many having to take annual or sick leave to attend a routine medical appointment, which will lead to some delaying. Employers can help stop this and make cervical screening and cervical health visible and important in the workplace, so more women and people with a cervix to feel confident and informed to attend.”
Important links:
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’s support services: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/get-support
Tips for making a cervical screening appointment better and more comfortable: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/information/cervical-screening/cervical-screening-tips
What is a smear test ?: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/information/cervical-screening/what-is-cervical-screening
