The NWCW campaigns second edition launches following data from a new Asia Pacific wide survey conducted by Roche, which revealed that women are de-prioritising their health, while fundamental gaps around cervical cancer continue to persist.² The survey which explored awareness and attitudes of women’s health with almost 3,000 women in the Asia Pacific region, exposed three key barriers holding women back.

• Women are time-poor: Almost half of women put the needs of their family before their own, often delaying or even stopping medical treatment as a result.²

• Fear: More than one third of women have never had a cervical screening and are not planning to.¹ Women voiced concerns of feeling anxious before a cervical cancer check-up due to perceived pain and discomfort (17%), fear over the results (17%) or feeling embarrassed, as the key reasons for not screening.²

• Gaps in awareness and support: Although this is not the case in Singapore, more than half of women surveyed in Asia have little to no knowledge of women’s health tests and screenings, including cervical cancer diagnostic methods.² Many women are also not getting screened as they presume there is nothing wrong with them.² Waiting for symptoms to show can be fatally too late for women.

Activities including women’s health talks, screening and community events will run from Sunday 5^th May 2024 until Sunday 12^th May. Singapore Cancer Society will also be offering free screening in conjunction with NWCW. Women may book their screenings here.

Attached is the full press release for your consideration. Should you have any further questions or would be keen to do an in-depth story on cervical cancer, we’ll be able to offer a healthcare professional from Singapore Cancer Society and a cervical cancer survivor.