Search

Global employers must ensure all employees receive appropriate cervical screening

News
Joanne Swann
woman in white button up shirt and blue stethoscope

As Cervical Screening Awareness Week approaches (17th – 23rd June) it is important for global employers to understand how provision differs by country, that not all countries offer screening, and the impact this may have on employees, according to Towergate Health & Protection.

Sarah Dennis, head of international at Towergate Health & Protection, says:

Early diagnosis is key to tackling cancer, and screening is a valuable tool in this process. While most developed countries have programmes for cancer screening, the types of cancer, target population, frequency and methods of screening varies hugely.

Sarah Dennis, head of international at Towergate Health & Protection

For instance, figures released in 2023 show that 70% of women in the UK aged 20-69 had cervical cancer screening within the past three years at the time of surveying. However, this was as low as 26% in Hungary, 12% in Poland and 3% in Costa Rica. In the UK, 64% of women aged 50-69 had mammography screening within the past two years at the time of surveying. This rises to 83% in Denmark, but is less than 30% in the Slovak Republic, Turkey, and Mexico.1

While many countries may be lagging behind in the screening of some cancers, others do not screen for certain cancers at all. For example, in Germany and Austria, prostate cancer screening is available for all men aged over 45 years. However, there is currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer in Canada, Australia, France or the UK.2

Even in the countries where national cancer screening programmes are provided, the pandemic has caused severe backlogs, and the impacts of the delays are expected to be long-lasting.3 The answer is for employers to provide cancer screening tests as part of health and wellbeing support – to all relevant employees, regardless of where they are based in the world.

Targeting cancer screening

It is important for employers to ensure that cancer screening is targeted towards the appropriate staff demographics. For this, employers should take expert advice, as different screening will be relevant to different people, based on a variety of factors including, age, sex, and risk factors.

Encouraging take up

For overseas employees in particular, ensuring the right messages get through to encourage take-up will be vital. Regular communications, targeted to the right demographics will be important, along with making access easy for employees to book their screening tests, many of which can be carried out by taking a simple test at home.

Sarah Dennis says:

Many cancers are curable if discovered and treated promptly. Employers must ensure that all employees, in all locations, have access to appropriate screening.

Joanne Swann, Content Manager, WorkWellPro
Editor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional | Website |  + posts

Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.

Share

Latest News

Latest Analysis

Related Articles

Nearly Half Of Employees ‘Fear AI Impact’ As HR Leaders Underestimate Anxiety

AI adoption is accelerating in the workplace - but new research suggests that concerns about job security and oversight remain high among staff.

Amie Meslohi: ‘All of Them, Mumma’ – What My 5-year-old Taught Me About Workplace Culture

When did we lose that? That pure, unfiltered permission to feel all the feelings and have someone witness them without judgment?

UK Employees ‘Absorb the Hidden Costs of Modern Work’

New research suggests that workplace spending patterns offer a clear view of how modern work is affecting employees across the UK.

Mid-50s Seen As Cut-Off For Job Applicants In UK Polling

Job applicants are widely perceived to become less desirable to employers when they reach their mid-50s, a new poll shows.
Previous article
Lack of employee cancer support can lead to talent exodus for UK employers
Next article
Sarah Carter: How to utilise data analytics for employee health and wellbeing

Workplace Wellbeing Pro delivers UK-focused news and analysis on employee wellbeing, covering physical, financial, and mental health. Promoted via a twice-weekly newsletter and social media, it reaches 33,000+ wellbeing managers, HR professionals, occupational health advisers, and more.

© Copyright - BWTL 2025