Superdrug launches gynae cancer consultations

With 3.8 million among women not attending their cervical screening appointments, Superdrug is launching a gynaecological cancer awareness programme across all of its 80 UK health clinics, in partnership with a leading gynaecological cancer charity.

Pharmacists and nurses running health clinics will offer patients attending an in-clinic service appointment the opportunity to discuss gynaecological cancers where they talk them through the five different gynaecological cancers.

“Its aim is to encourage conversations and give insights on the five gynaecological cancers, how to spot the signs and symptoms early as well as promoting cervical cancer screening attendance,” it added.

As part of this partnership, the Lady Garden Foundation charity has trained Superdrug pharmacists running health clinics in what symptoms to look for in their patients.

When a patient attends an in-clinic service appointment, the Superdrug pharmacist will offer them a discussion on gynaecological cancers where they talk them through the five different gynaecological cancers.

Patients will also be offered a symptom tracker, designed to easily note down any signs or symptoms they experience, which they can then show to their GP.

Caris Newson, head of Healthcare Services at Superdrug said, “Superdrug has 80 health clinics, and 1 in 3 women under 50, and 1 in 4 women over 50 are not attending their cervical screening in the areas where these Superdrug clinics are located. At Superdrug we are passionate about encouraging an open dialogue with women to help them take proactive care of their Gynae health.

“Building on our partnership with Coppafeel, we are absolutely delighted to be supporting The Lady Garden Foundation as we know how important it is to be comfortable talking about and knowing your body.  We and our qualified nurses & pharmacists hope this will be the start of more conversations and more checks around the UK.”

Jenny Halpern Prince, co-founder and chair at The Lady Garden Foundation said, “We are excited to announce our partnership with Superdrug as we hope to reach more women and create awareness amongst generations who aren’t talking about these issues. By working with Superdrug’s trained nurses & pharmacists, we want to encourage people to not only attend their cervical screening tests but also help them with how to spot the signs and symptoms early of all five types of gynae cancers.”

Actress Emily Atack, who is involved as a partnership ambassador, said: “I am thrilled to be part of the Love Your Lady Garden campaign. This is such an important milestone for The Lady Garden Foundation and for thousands of women around the UK who will now have access to free consultations on their doorstep.

"I’ve always been very confident and open when it comes to talking about my body, so I want to encourage other women to talk more openly about theirs too, especially their gynae health. There’s still too little awareness around gynae cancers and the Love Your Lady Garden initiative will aim to make our ‘privates’ a little less private and more of a priority.”