Cancer charities warn ‘Goody factor’ is fading

CHARITY campaigners have warned that the “Jade Goody effect”, which created a surge in numbers of women attending cancer screenings, appears to have been short-lived.

On the third anniversary of the reality TV star’s death young women are being urged to attend screening appointments, and reminded that the earlier any cancer was diagnosed, the better the outcome would be.

Goody, who campaigned for better awareness of cervical cancer died, from the disease in 2009 at the aged just 27.

Robert Music, director of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “As a result of Jade Goody’s very public battle with cervical cancer, there was an upsurge in the numbers of women attending cervical screening, and in 2008 close to 400,000 extra women chose to be tested (an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year).

“This was the first time in a decade that uptake numbers had increased, and most medical commentators said this would have undoubtedly saved lives.

“I am concerned at the worrying downward trend we are seeing, with screening close to levels before Jade was diagnosed.”

According to The Eve Appeal, a charity dedicated to better detection and improved treatment of gynaecological cancers, the HPV vaccination programme for girls aged 12 to 18 is expected to save up to 500 lives a year in the UK.

Robert Marsh, chief executive of the charity, said: “Few people can talk about cervical cancer without mentioning Jade. We have to thank Jade’s sad fate for the subsequent spike in numbers. But have we learned enough?”