Arsenal and MSD have today launched the second season of the Defend Your Tomorrow? campaign. Defend Your Tomorrow? is a cervical cancer disease awareness campaign signposting people to speak to their GP practice about cervical cancer risks and symptoms and find out more at the campaign website – http://www.defendyourtomorrow.co.uk/
Now in its second year, the campaign which has been funded, initiated and developed by MSD, aims to provide health education information on and promote awareness of cervical cancer risks, signs and symptoms, with the intent to help individuals to recognise the disease, or risk factors for it and to be able to seek timely and appropriate professional advice.
The refreshed campaign this year focuses on Hopes for the Future. A new short film released today brings the campaign to life through the voices of Arsenal Women across generations, featuring club legend Danielle Carter, current first-team stars Beth Mead, Katie McCabe and Steph Catley, and Arsenal Women Academy players.
Together, they reflect on progress made and look ahead to the next generation, reinforcing the importance of protecting futures off the pitch through cervical cancer disease awareness.
Cervical cancer remains a significant public health challenge in the UK. Each year, around 3,300 new cases are diagnosed and 99.8% of cases of cervical cancer could be prevented. NHS England have set a goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.
Arsenal Women will promote the campaign once more at this Sunday’s match against Manchester City at Emirates Stadium, with a series of matchday messages and activities taking place to encourage supporters to visit DefendYourTomorrow.co.uk for further information.
Almost one million users have visited the Defend Your Tomorrow? website since the launch of the campaign.
Arsenal and England star Beth Mead, who has regularly spoken about the impact cancer has had on her own family, said: “I hope for a future where this isn’t even a conversation. We know that almost all cases of cervical cancer are preventable, and we hope that with Defend Your Tomorrow? we can encourage more supporters and people in our community to find out about the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. If using our platform helps more people take that step and protect their futures, then together we have made a positive difference.”
Christoph Hartmann MSD Country Medical Director said: “MSD is proud to launch the second season of the Defend Your Tomorrow? campaign to raise awareness of cervical cancer. Defend Your Tomorrow? brings together the power of sport, healthcare, and community voices to provide inclusive and equitable health education on the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. People being aware and equipped with the right health information is an important first step so together, we can hope for a future where the NHS ambition to eliminate cervical cancer becomes a reality.”
