Drive aims to increase screening for cancer

NHS Bradford and Airedale has worked with Bradford's Equity Partnership to develop a new patient information leaflet aimed specifically at lesbian and bisexual women.

It follows research which showed that many lesbian and bisexual women did not think they needed to be screened for cervical cancer.

Lesley Hedges, women's health worker at the Equity Partnership, said: "I hope the new leaflet will make lesbian and bisexual women more aware of the risk of cervical cancer and the importance of regular screening.

"Women have told us they want more information, so we've worked with them to develop an eye-catching leaflet that helps them understand the facts rather than believe the myths."

The leaflet aims to bust some of the myths that may be stopping some women from getting screened for cervical cancer – a potentially life-threatening condition.

Research by the Equity Partnership found over 70 per cent of lesbian and bisexual women who responded to its survey had not had cervical screening.

When questioned further, some of the women said they thought cervical screening was only for women who had sex with men, and others said their health professional had told them they did not need to be screened.

NHS Bradford and Airedale said that there was clear evidence that cervical cancer could be passed between women having sex with women, and some women may have had sex with men in the past which could have put them at risk.

Training for health professionals is being developed to raise awareness of the importance of screening for all women.