Slimming World reminds members of importance of cervical screening
Recent research shows that more than half of women (54%) put off going to the doctors unless they absolutely have to due to feeling nervous ahead of a health check.
The survey of 2,051 people conducted by Censuswide, and commissioned by weight-loss organisation Slimming World, found that more than a third (34%) of women feel nervous ahead of visiting their doctor due to being overweight.
Slimming World is supporting Public Health England’s Cervical Screening Saves Lives campaign, which will encourage women to respond to their cervical screening invitation letter, and if they missed their last screening, to book an appointment at their GP practice. Cervical screening can stop cancer before it starts by preventing harmful cells from developing.
Our research and feedback from members shows that people who struggle with their weight do put off having health checks.
However, the shocking fact is that two women die from cervical cancer every day in England and we are joining PHE in urging them not to ignore their screening invitations. The majority of our members are women and they have already made the decision to improve their health by losing weight; we want to remind them that attending screening is a vital part of a healthy life too.
Rebecca and Claire, two Slimming World members, who have survived cervical cancer, are passionate about the importance of women going for the screening. It saved their lives.
Rebecca Rushbrook, attends a Slimming World group in Gravesend, and frequently reminds her friends and family about the importance of attending cervical screenings.
I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2003. I now never miss my screening appointment as I know first-hand the risks of cancer. Cervical screening saves lives by finding cells early, before they develop into cervical cancer.
If I’m ever told by someone that they don’t want to go because they are scared that it will hurt, or they’ll be embarrassed, I remind them that screening only takes a few minutes and it’s important to talk through any worries with their doctor or nurse who can help.
I always remind my friends and family to go for their screenings. I don’t ever want to be in the position where I have to watch one of them go through what I did as they failed to go for their screening.
Claire Garbutt, a Slimming World member from Kingston Upon Hull, believes the thought of screenings is worse than the reality.
It’s so vital that women attend their cervical screening – I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2005 and had to have a radical hysterectomy, but I was lucky.
Women die from cervical cancer every day but going for a simple screening can prevent potentially harmful cells developing. To me the thought of going for a screening is always worse than the reality of having one. The nurses who perform them do this day in, day out, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and nothing they haven’t seen before.
Now, because of my experience, I’m a great advocate of screenings and ensure all my loved ones get themselves checked.
Public Health England is urging women to not ignore their cervical screening invitation, as screening can stop cancer before it starts.
And, as part of its support, Slimming World is urging all members – more than 90% of Slimming World members are women – to talk to their mothers, sisters, daughters and female friends about the importance of taking up their cervical screening invitation.
For more information on cervical screening, visit:
About Slimming World
Slimming World was founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell (OBE, FRSA) in 1969. There are now more than 19,000 weekly groups supporting 900,000 members across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Groups are run by a network of 5,500 community-based Slimming World Consultants, who receive specific training in the role of diet and physical activity in weight management, as well as sophisticated behaviour-change techniques. Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, is based on the science of satiety and energy density. Our phased activity programme, Body Magic, eases members into activity until it becomes an intrinsic part of their daily routine. The principles behind Slimming World’s philosophy are based on a deep understanding of the challenges faced by overweight people and recognition that those who struggle with weight carry a double burden, the weight itself and a burden of guilt and shame about their weight. Slimming World’s programme integrates practical, up-to-date advice with a highly developed support system based on care and compassion, and Consultant training focuses on facilitating behaviour change in a warm and friendly group environment. Consultant training is delivered through the Slimming World Academy. Slimming World also invests in a comprehensive research programme to develop its support for long-term weight management. The group support provided by Slimming World is recognised as effective by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the NHS.
For more information about Slimming World’s approach visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000. Follow Slimming World on Twitter at www.twitter.com/slimmingworld or become a Slimming World fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/slimmingworld
For the Press Office please email public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk