TWO councils used a popular event to spread the message about cervical screening.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Middlesbrough Council are urging more women to attend their cervical screenings as Cervical Screening Awareness Week comes to an end.

As part of the wider cancer awareness work being developed by the South Tees Tackling Cancer Together Group, information and advice on cervical screening was given to joggers at the Park Run at Locke Park, Redcar on Saturday 18 June.

Runners, including New Marske Harriers, received information on the importance of attending for cervical screenings– or smear tests – which help save about 4,500 lives each year in England.

Cervical screening prevents 75 per cent of cervical cancers from developing in the UK but one in four women aged 25-64 do not attend cervical screening when invited, normally due to fear or embarrassment or not understanding its importance.

Councillor Lynn Pallister, Cabinet Member for Health and Housing at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council said: “The screening programme saves thousands of lives every year, yet many women do not attend their appointments due to embarrassment, fear, confusion and inconvenience.”

For more information speak to your GP or visit www.screeningsaveslives.co.uk