Flexible working is the holy grail of modern living but for the majority of us, it'll stay far, FAR out of our reach. But when working hours start to affect your health, hasn't something got to give? GSK and Jo's Cancer Trust certainly think so.
Their new campaign, Time To Test, encourages businesses to show their commitment to female employees by having the flexibility to attend cervical screening within working hours. But why such a fuss?
Well, when you look at the stats the picture is pretty grim.
The facts:
- Around 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in the UK.
- Cervical cancer is responsible for 970 UK deaths annually.
- One in five women do not attend screening when invited and many delay it for more than a year.
- Cervical screenings are estimated to save around 5,000 lives a year.
- More than a quarter (26%) of women would be encouraged to attend if their company was more flexible and they did not have to take holiday for an appointment.
As a result of these findings, 10 British businesses including Bare Escentuals (bareMinerals), The Female Entreprenuer Association and IHG – Intercontinental Hotels Group have already pledged their support for flexible working.
Carrie Green, Founder of The Female Entrepreneur Association, explained to us why this issue is so important.
"Earlier on this year a business friend of my passed away after being diagnosed with cervical cancer back in 2005," says Carrie. "She actually missed a smear test because she moved house and so didn't get the letter and then by the time she was diagnosed it had already spread to her lymph nodes. She might still be here if she'd received that letter and that's why it's so important that women make the time to get tested - it could save your life."
She hopes that by pledging her support she will to "help encourage more women to make the time to get tested, even if it falls during working hours and to not delay or put off their appointment. "
Statistics have shown that, apart from an increase in 2009, the uptake of cervical screening has either fallen or remained unchanged for the past decade. The Time to Test campaign aims to make it as easy as possible for women to start reversing that trend for good.
Robert Music, Chief Executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said: “The number of women delaying or ignoring their cervical screening invitation is now on the rise and worryingly cervical cancer incidence is also rising.
"We know from our research that a barrier to attendance can be being able to take time off work and so it’s crucial that employers ensure their female staff are given time to attend what is a simple five minute test that could potentially save their lives. We’re delighted that so many companies have already shown their commitment to cervical cancer prevention and hope that many more follow suit.”
Early detection and treatment through cervical screening is estimated to prevent up to 75% of cervical cancers from developing in the UK. And with not going for cervical screening is one of the biggest risk factors for developing cervical cancer, we can only hope that more companies sign up to this campaign.
Would you support the campaign? Tweet us at @sofeminineUK.
