Last month, we were delighted to learn that the leaflet inviting women in England to attend their smear tests will now contain the following additional wording:
With 40 per cent of women mistakenly believing that cervical screening detects ovarian cancer, we welcome this attempt to spell out the limitations of a reassuring smear test result.
Improved diagrams
We’re also pleased to see that the leaflet’s depiction of the reproductive system has been simplified in line with our requests, to provide a clear indication of the part of the anatomy being examined by the cervical screening programme.
The old version of the diagram included a label highlighting one of the ovaries. We had concerns this could inadvertently make some people assume that cervical screening is linked to the health of the ovaries.
How we got here
After our 2012 Pathfinder survey revealed that 47 per cent of women mistakenly believed a smear checked for ovarian cancer, we started campaigning for improved NHS messaging.
We had supportive MPs raise this issue in Parliamentary questions and speak about it during debates in Parliament. We sought the support of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ovarian Cancer. We also highlighted our concerns in the media to raise awareness.
In 2023, we took a strategic decision to keep our request as modest as possible - merely asking for a single sentence to be added to the leaflet. What’s more, to broaden the case for adding such a sentence, we proposed that it explain that the smear test had no part to play in detecting vulval, vaginal and womb cancer, as well as ovarian cancer.
Shortly after the 2024 general election, we published Three Targets to Transform the Future of Ovarian Cancer. This key document outlined all the changes required to improve outcomes for women with ovarian cancer in the UK. Front and centre was our demand that NHS information about cervical screening be updated.
Sue’s part in the campaign
Sue Stockham - a retired EDF manager from Kent - came with us to Parliament to help launch our Three Targets. Sue had been diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer in 2017. Ever since completing her gruelling treatment, she has campaigned for improved cervical screening information.
Before my ovarian cancer diagnosis, I was one of those ladies that thought a smear test covered everything – gynae wise.
Between 2017 and the general election of July 2024, Sue was represented by three separate MPs. She wrote to each of them about her own experience of ovarian cancer and the shortcomings of NHS messaging and met them online and in person. She even addressed a meeting of MPs in Parliament.
When reflecting on this experience, Sue says:
You have to get over that fear of speaking to MPs. They’re working for you – they’re there to support and listen to you.
Following the election of July 2024, Sue found herself represented by a fourth MP – Jim Dickson. She invited him to attend the Parliamentary launch of our Three Targets and – following this - he tabled a question to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, asking whether his department would alter the messaging on cervical screening leaflets in England.
The Minister for Public Health replied that a review was underway, and on 1 July, the new version of the leaflet Cervical Screening: helping you decide was introduced throughout England.
What now?
We’re hugely grateful for the persistence of campaigners like Sue in helping us achieve the recent improvements to the English leaflet, but more remains to be done.
In September, we'll be marking Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month by stepping up our campaigning on NHS messaging around cervical screening.
We want to see further changes to the England leaflet – with a link to the symptoms of ovarian and other gynaecological cancers included.
What’s more, we want the equivalent leaflets in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also to highlight that cervical screening does not check for ovarian cancer.
Want to get involved?
Join our Campaigners Network to be the first to hear about what we have planned, and how you can join other campaigners like Sue in addressing dangerous misconceptions about ovarian cancer.
