Every year in the UK, approximately 3,300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. This equates to around nine women being diagnosed, every day. Around one in two women survive their cervical cancer diagnosis for ten years or more. But things are improving, generally: cervical cancer survival has increased in the last 50 years. Hope is also growing thanks, in part, to Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, which, this year, takes place 22 to 28 January. During this time, critical charities like Cancer Research UK, the Eve Appeal, and Macmillan Cancer Support promote awareness of cervical cancer and raise money for year-round research and patient support.
In this post, we highlight and applaud the work of these three charities. We also share a few ways that you can get involved and show your support during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.
The Role of Research in Combating Cervical Cancer
For the past 120 years, Cancer Research UK has been making discoveries and saving lives. The charity has a major impact on cutting-edge research, and it works tirelessly to raise awareness about various cancers, including cervical cancer. Cancer Research UK funds scientists, doctors, and nurses “to beat cancer sooner”. It also works at a policy level to share evidence and inform policy related to cancer and research.
Cancer Research UK recently celebrated quite a milestone: more than one million deaths have been avoided in the UK thanks to advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The charity is a key part of that milestone. It’s brought about better radiotherapy, the development of new drugs, progress in the prevention of cervical cancer, and important research that highlights the role of certain genes in cancer. Read about some of Cancer Research UK’s achievements here. Also notable, Cancer Research UK helped develop a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and screening methods that prevent thousands of deaths every year. In fact, the charity’s research and advances led to the World Health Organization setting an ambitious target to eliminate cervical cancer globally as a public health problem – the first time the world has committed to this target!
The Eve Appeal is the leading gynae cancers charity. Every day in the UK, 60 women are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer and 22 die from the disease. For the Eve Appeal, “that’s far too many wives, daughters, sisters, partners and friends.” The Eve Appeal raises awareness of gynaecological cancers and funds lifesaving, ground-breaking research focused on risk prediction, early detection, and screening for all gynaecological cancers, including cervical cancer.
It’s an important focus—currently only 7% of funding in the UK goes toward cancer prevention research. It’s not enough and the Eve Appeal aims to bridge this gap and fund far more research into the prevention and early diagnosis of gynae cancers. Thanks to its supporters, the Eve Appeal has funded 42 research projects and £10 million into research since 2022.
Supporting Women Through Treatment and Recovery
Research is critical to reducing cervical cancer rates and improving outcomes. Supporting those who have been diagnosed with the disease is also an important component, and Macmillan Cancer Support is leading the way.
The mission of Macmillan Cancer Support is simple yet bold: to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. The charity raises money to provide vital cancer services, campaigns for better cancer care, and supports the cancer workforce. Since 1976, the organisation has also built more than 225 Macmillan Cancer Centres, including information and support centres, clinical oncology centres, and hospices. The charity also recognises the tremendous financial burden that can accompany a cervical cancer diagnosis. Macmillan Cancer Support has specialised money advisors who provide free and confidential advice to help patients and their families connect with the benefits and financial resources they might be entitled to.
How You Can Help
Individuals and organisations have an important role to play during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, and every day. Remember, it’s thanks to their supporters that these charities—Cancer Research UK, the Eve Appeal, and Macmillan Cancer Support—have been able to make such an indelible impact. Here’s how you can do your part:
- Make a donation: If you have the financial means, consider a one-time or recurring donation to these charities to fund cervical cancer research and support programs. Let your own story inspire you: If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with or died from cervical cancer, you can make a donation in someone’s name. You can also talk to your charity board or employer about the many benefits of a corporate partnership with these charities.
- Volunteer your time: Financial support is critical, but the gift of time can also make a difference. Consider volunteering your time or skills to support these charities with Cervical Cancer Prevention Week events. If you’d like to do even more, you can also commit to volunteering with the many patient support services these charities offer.
- Purchase purposeful products: Need a reusable water bottle? Looking for a new sweatshirt to complete your winter wardrobe? Before you head to the store, check out the branded merchandise shops of these three charities. They each offer a range of products from the fanciful to the functional, and the proceeds of your purchase support continued advances in cervical cancer research and awareness. It’s a win-win!
How else will you get involved during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week? Are there other charities or organisations that you support? We’d love to hear more. After all, it’s together that we can truly make a difference in the rates and outcomes of cervical cancer.