THE government has defended its cervical screening campaign after a tweet promoting the service to transgender men and gender-non-conforming people – which has been viewed on Twitter over three million times – received criticism.
By yesterday afternoon, the post had received almost 5,000 comments, many of which hit out at the terminology used to describe those eligible.
Olympic swimming medallist Sharron Davies and controversial former UK politician George Galloway were among those who took to the social-media platform to express an opinion about the tweet, which explained that free cervical screening was available to everyone ‘assigned female at birth and with a cervix’.
Much of the criticism focused on the fact that the tweet – which formed part of a larger government campaign promoting the service to the different eligible groups – did not include the word ‘women’ when listing those who qualified for the screenings.
Jersey’s director of public health Professor Peter Bradley said the post was part of a campaign ‘which includes targeted messaging and spokespeople to maximise the reach to Islanders eligible for cervical screening’.
He said: ‘I am thankful to the Islanders who have fronted our cervical screening campaign, which includes targeted messaging and spokespeople to maximise the reach to Islanders eligible for cervical screening.
‘[On Monday] we shared a post featuring Vic Tanner Davy, honorary chief executive of Liberate, the Channels Islands’ equality and diversity charity, a transgender man who was born with a cervix. This post has been met with criticism regarding the terminology used to describe those who are eligible for screening.
‘This specific post was aimed at the transgender community, gender-non-conforming people and those assigned female at birth who may not identify as such, who are at risk of cervical cancer too.’
Professor Bradley added: ‘The inclusive campaign, which features four local spokespeople, three women and one transgender man, invites all eligible Islanders to attend their cervical screening appointments.
‘This includes all women, transgender men, people assigned female at birth but no longer identifying as such, and gender-non-conforming people, who are aged between 25 and 64.
‘Cervical screenings are important in identifying abnormalities that may cause cancer. I encourage everyone who is eligible for their screening to opt in by contacting their GP or Le Bas Centre on 01534 443781.’
Dr Fiona Nelson, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, admitted that she was surprised by the reaction to the tweet but said she was delighted it had raised awareness of the importance of the screenings for anyone with a cervix.
She said: ‘We shouldn’t be judgmental. We are here to provide that service to anyone who needs it.’
Responding to online comments from some transgender men and gender-non-conforming people who said that the negativity on Twitter had further discouraged them from attending cervical screenings, Dr Nelson said: ‘Please don’t be put off. Healthcare professionals will not be judgmental.
‘If you are feeling afraid or embarrassed, you can call up and explain that before your appointment.’
