Survey shows increased awarness on cervical cancer

To mark the end of the month of May which was Cervical Cancer Awareness month, the Marie Keating Foundation partnered with Millward Brown IMS to conduct a survey of Irish women aged 18 and over to understand the impact of Jade Goody"s public battle with cervical cancer on women"s attitudes towards cervical cancer prevention.The survey found that many of the findings are very positive as three in every four women agree that reading and watching about Jade Goody"s experience of cancer will make a difference in the detection of this illness.This is supported by an assertion by just over one in every two women (56 per cent) that the Jade Goody story has made them more likely to go for a smear test.Commenting on these findings, Lillian McGovern, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation said: 'There are very strong indications from this survey that Jade Goody"s brave decision to go public with every stage of her battle with cervical cancer has touched Irish women deeply.'Women aged 25-34 in particular, so women around Jade Goody"s own age on her death, are in fact most likely to say they will go for a smear test as a result of the media coverage and this is a very encouraging outcome.'Remember that smear tests are now free for women aged 25 and over. Most surgeries in Mullingar now have a dedicated practice nurse as most women feel more comfortable with female practitioner. The turn around in results has also improved massively and you can now expect to wait approximately a week for the results.