The Eve Appeal

Thanks to your support of our Rare Gynae Cancer Fund, we have awarded a grant to Dr Esther Moss at the University of Leicester and NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, to develop a blood test to diagnose uterine sarcoma. Uterine sarcomas are a rarer form of womb cancer. They make up 3 in 100 cancers in the womb (uterus). They can be difficult to diagnose as they have many of the same symptoms, and look similar on scans, to fibroids. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the womb. Most womb cancers are diagnosed using biopsies taken from the womb lining (called the endometrium), but these biopsies are only able to pick up 1 in 3 uterine sarcomas. This is because they begin from the muscle, rather than the lining of the womb. This can lead to a delayed or wrong diagnosis and potentially harmful treatments, which can risk spreading the cancer. Because of these issues, women and people with gynae organs with uterine sarcomas often face poor outcomes. This is an even greater problem for women from Black communities, as they have a higher risk of both fibroids and uterine sarcomas. Dr Moss and her team are aiming to develop a blood test which can distinguish between fibroids and uterine sarcomas, and could help women get the correct diagnosis and treatment sooner. Dr Moss says: “It is fantastic that The Eve Appeal and all their kind donors have supported the Rare Gynae Cancer Fund to make this project possible. Uterine sarcomas are rare cancers that can have potentially devastating impacts on patients and their families. We hope this test will make a real difference to women with uterine sarcoma.” You can read more about the research on our blog: https://bit.ly/3Dfg90L #EveResearch #ResearchNews #UterineSarcomas #WombCancer #CancerResearch #EveAppeal #TheEveAppeal

‘From Grief to Love’ is a book by Laurence Carter. He has kindly dedicated the proceeds of his book to Eve. He has shared his emotional journey with us, from the grief at the loss of his wife from cervical cancer to his healing through this epic 4,300-mile walk around the coast of England and Wales. 'In 1987, Laurence was working as an economist in Malawi. One day he walked into the office and saw this lovely woman in a bright yellow dress with curly black hair. Her name was Melitta and she was an agricultural economist. That day his life changed. He was smitten. They married, spent 28 years together and had three children Laurence says: “She was full of life. Vivacious, chatty, opinionated,” One day in October 2012, everything changed again. Melitta received the results of a cervical screening test which had been delayed several times. She had cervical cancer and needed emergency surgery. In July 2013, after months of gruelling therapy, she received more results: the cancer had spread. She was given 12-18 months to live. Melitta died in September 2015. She was just 53 years old. Laurence’s biggest regret is that he didn’t remind Melitta about her cervical screening test. She had reminded Laurence about his medical screenings. “She wasn’t that late,” he says, “about 3 or 4 months…but that was the difference between stage 3 and stage 4 cervical cancer.” In spring 2017, Laurence decided to walk around the coast of England and Wales. He started in June 2018 at Seaford, on the south coast, where his Mum came to wave him off. A year later, he arrived back at the same spot. You can read Laurence's story and purchase his book on our website: https://bit.ly/3ZSHAXh A huge thank you to Laurence for raising awareness and funds for the prevention and earlier diagnosis of gynaecological cancers. #CervicalCancer #Grief #Challenge #Book #EveAppeal #TheEveAppeal

Ask Eve will be closed on Wednesday 25 December, Thursday 26 December and Wednesday 1 January. We will be open as normal on the other days over the festive break for emails, voice messages and on-line contact forms. We will get back to you as soon as possible, but our response times may be a bit slower and up to three days. We know that the festive season can be a difficult time for people affected by cancer. If you need to speak to someone urgently, please contact The Samaritans by phoning 116 123. If you have a medical emergency, please call 999 or attend A&E. For non-urgent symptoms, please contact your GP, local pharmacist or call 111. On behalf of everyone at Eve, we thank you for your support and wish you a happy and peaceful holiday season. Team Eve x

We have partnered with Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK to urge the UK Government, NHS England, Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education to take action to increase HPV vaccine uptake and reduce preventable cancers caused by HPV. The HPV vaccine could prevent over 100,000 cancers by 2058. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UK's HPV vaccine uptake lags shockingly behind other countries - just 56% for girls and 50% for boys, compared to 80% uptake in other countries (e.g., Denmark). This represents a critical missed opportunity to protect future generations from HPV-related cancers. The HPV vaccine is a powerful cancer prevention tool that can protect against a range of cancers - including head and neck, cervical, vulval, vaginal, anal and penile cancer. We call on the Government to: 1. Implement a national communications campaign: Develop and fund a coordinated campaign to raise awareness about the HPV vaccine as a cancer prevention tool, aimed at both parents and young people. Whilst eliminating the outdated, gendered messaging and stigma surrounding the vaccine. 2. Introduce HPV education into the curriculum: Integrate HPV and cancer prevention education into PSHE lessons from Year 6 onwards to empower young people with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their health. 3. Improve access to the vaccine: Ensure equitable access to the HPV vaccine through additional vaccination points such as pharmacies and community health centres. Pilot catch-up campaigns for older teens and young adults who missed vaccination opportunities. Streamline GP processes for GPs to special-order the HPV vaccine to reduce barriers for patients and providers. And introduce a second official vaccine invitation for young adults to encourage uptake. 4. Address health inequalities: Develop and distribute easy-read, multilingual materials to support vaccine education in diverse communities. Tailor outreach efforts to address cultural, religious, and socio-economic barriers. 5. Raise awareness of oral cancer screenings Join us and sign the petition: https://bit.ly/4gu8dqP #HPV #HPVVaccine #CancerPrevention

A report by the Women and Equalities committee, published today blames a lack of education by healthcare professionals and ‘pervasive stigma’ for poor care in gynaecological health. The report found that symptoms for gynae health conditions are often ‘normalised’ and it can take years for women to get a diagnosis and treatment. Their report covered conditions like adenomyosis and endometriosis, as well as poor care in routine IUD contraceptive fittings, cervical screenings, and hysteroscopies. The report said women were being left in pain and discomfort that ‘interferes with every aspect of their daily lives’, including their education, careers, relationships and fertility, while their conditions worsen. It also found a ‘clear lack of awareness and understanding of women’s reproductive health conditions among primary healthcare practitioners’ and that gynaecological care isn’t prioritised. The report calls for more funding for research into gynae health conditions, and for the gynae health hub model to be given funding for the long-term. At Eve we know that when women and people with gynae organs aren’t listened to - and we hear these stories every day - two harms are done. Not feeling heard is direct harm and affects how they feel about seeking medical help for the rest of their lives. The harm that’s done and this is a tragedy, is that diagnosis is often delayed. And as Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists | RCOG say, no gynae health condition is truly benign. The longer diagnosis and treatment takes, the worse conditions become, which can have a huge impact on quality of life. We urgently need gynaecology to be put to the top of the priority list, better training for healthcare professionals and more funding for research and care. Read more about the news The Guardian: https://lnkd.in/dFhkFA6e #GynaeHealth #WomensHealth #Gynaecology

This week, Emma joined us at the “Reception to celebrate Scotland’s progress towards eliminating cervical cancer” convened by MSD with support from The Eve Appeal. She shared her story of her cervical cancer diagnosis and advocacy work. "A few years ago, my life seemed perfect. I had just given birth to my third child, a beautiful newborn who brought so much joy into our lives. I was living the life I had always dreamed of. Then, out of nowhere, everything changed. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 29. To say it was a shock would be an understatement. My world, which had felt so secure, was turned upside down. I had to put on a brave face, not just for my children, but for my family and friends, all while navigating the physical and emotional toll that cancer treatment takes on you. During this time, I became determined to learn everything I could about cervical cancer—the causes, the prevention methods, and how we could tackle this largely preventable disease. There are many complex factors at play, but I remain hopeful that by raising awareness and campaigning, we can play a crucial part in solving this puzzle and helping to prevent cervical cancer in Scotland. There are a few key areas where I believe we can make a significant impact for future generations in Scotland: -Increased awareness and education: Education campaigns must reach beyond just women of a certain age, ensuring that everyone knows the value of prevention and early detection, and that the conversation about cervical health becomes as normalised as any other aspect of our well-being. -Access to care and support: It’s essential that we ensure timely access to treatment and a comprehensive support system for everyone, regardless of where they live in Scotland. Access to specialists, timely screenings, and follow-up care must be equitable, and no one should face delays because of their location or socio-economic background. -Stigma reduction: The stigma surrounding women’s health needs to be addressed head-on. Conversations about cervical health should be open and non-judgmental, encouraging people to speak up without fear of embarrassment or shame. This is particularly vital for younger people, those from minoritised communities, and individuals who may feel their concerns are being ignored. -Prevention programmes: We need to ensure that vaccination programs for HPV, reach every young person. -Support for people living with or who have experienced a gynae cancer: For those affected by a gynae cancer, the emotional and psychological toll does not end with treatment. We must provide ongoing support—both mental and physical." You can read Emma's story in full on her blog: https://bit.ly/49o2cd3 #RaceToElimination #CervicalCancer #HPV

Today, Eve hosted a parliamentary event in Scotland, convened by MSD, to bring patients, health policy makers and MSPs together to affirm both the commitment to the elimination of cervical cancer and agree the steps we all need to make to get there. This is a cancer – the only one – where we know what causes nearly all cases (HPV) and we know how to prevent it (HPV vaccination and cervical screening). How amazing is that? 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Scotland every year. This is 300 too many. And Scotland has the highest cervical cancer death rates in the UK. Elimination would have a profound impact on women’s health and society as a whole. A race worth taking part in. Like other parts of the UK, health inequalities can be clearly seen in both vaccination uptake and screening attendance. To eliminate this disease, we need to focus on those people who are under-screened or who have never been screened. This group is made up of a number of communities with different challenges and needs which we need to address – those affected by sexual trauma, disability, or with barriers to communications and without the tailored information they require (in their own language, in easy read, that addresses their personal concerns). Scotland is the only UK nation that has hit the 90% HPV vaccination target (in S4 girls, 2022/23) – but the most recent data shows this has slipped. Government research has also shown that that no cervical cancer cases have been detected in women who were fully vaccinated at age 12-13, since HPV vaccination was introduced in Scotland in 2008. The foundations are in place to reach elimination. The challenge now is replicating this success across the prevention pathway, all three areas - HPV vaccination, cervical screening and the treatment pathway. At Eve, we know the tools to reach cervical cancer elimination already exist: the task is for all of us, in partnership, to bring them to every individual who needs them. With focus, intention, scaling up and tailoring. You can read our CEO, Athena's, blog on our website: https://bit.ly/3ZDDFNF #HPV #CervicalCancer #CervicalScreening #CancerPolicy #ScottishParliament

NHS England has released their annual cervical screening programme statistics. Our Nurse Service Co-ordinator says: "Having the HPV vaccination and attending cervical screening appointments, when invited, is vital to prevent cervical cancer. We encourage anyone who has received their invitation or whose test is overdue, to book their appointment. "We recognise that for many, cervical screening can be a difficult, painful or traumatic experience for many women and people with a cervix, we are here to ensure they have the right information and support available to them to help them through the process. Our Ask Eve nurses are always here to help with free and confidential advice. To get in touch email [email protected] or call 0808 802 0019."

With Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists | RCOG and ten other leading women's health organisations, we are responding to the Department of Health and Social Care NHS England national conversation on 'Change the NHS' and creating the 10 year NHS plan. We know at Eve that when it comes to women's health, change a step-change is needed. Despite making up 51% of the UK population, women's health is left to fall through numerous gaps in policy, health pathways, workforce and services. The case for investing in gynaecological health is clear. This means investing in medical research, investing in early diagnosis and prevention and championing new services which all benefit and reach those who need it most. In every community and to address health inequities and inequalities. Please make your voice heard and respond to the consultation. Go to https://lnkd.in/e2YGs7g6

We know that many survivors of sexual assault or sexual abuse find healthcare appointments distressing, particularly appointments which may involve physical examinations such as cervical screening. Healthcare Improvement Scotland are developing standards for healthcare and forensic medical services for people who have experienced rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse. You can take part in their online survey: https://lnkd.in/ewGga3_j Read more in our #CheckWithMeFirst guide developed with The Survivors Trust, which outlines information about attending cervical screening for survivors of rape, sexual abuse or assault, and offers tips to which may help to make you feel more comfortable about your appointment: https://lnkd.in/e8cdHFXJ