Cancer Research UK swaps the word 'woman' for 'everyone with a cervix' in smear test campaign to avoid offending transgender people

Cancer Research UK has swapped the word 'woman' for 'everyone' in its cervical screening campaign to avoid offending transgender people.

The charity decided to pull the gendered word from its latest campaign, using the phrase 'everyone with a cervix'.

Cancer Research UK confirmed the move was in a bid to be more inclusive and not to exclude anyone who is biologically female but identifies as male.

The change drew a mixed reaction, as some claimed it prioritised being politically correct over public health, while others applauded the 'life-saving' word swap.

The tweet from the campaign reads: 'Cervical screening (or the smear test) is relevant for everyone aged 25-64 with a cervix. Watch our animation to find out what to expect when you go for screening.'

Fiona Osgun from Cancer Research UK told the Times: 'Cervical cancer develops in anyone who has a cervix. This includes women as well as people with other gender identities such as trans men.

'But screening might not be relevant for all women such as those who have had a full hysterectomy. We phrased our information on cervical screening awareness week to reflect this.'

Smear tests are simple, taking 10 minutes and are used to detect abnormal cells on the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus from the vagina.

Removing these cells can prevent cervical cancer, as around 3,000 cases of the disease are diagnosed each year in the UK. 

The NHS advocates for women as well as trans men who have not had a total hysterectomy, to go for routine cervical screening tests. 

After the roll out of the new campaign, people took to Twitter to criticise the change.

Jo wrote: 'I'm worried about the quality of your research if you don't know it's WOMEN that have a cervix.'

SOURCE