The Public Cervix Announcement campaign is rolling out now across Adelaide.
The campaign was created to encourage LGBTIQ people with a cervix – especially those from our transmasc communities – aged between 25 and 74 to have a cervical screening every five years.
Regular cervical screenings prevent nine out of ten cervical cancers. However, research shows many LGBTIQ people with a cervix have never had a cervical screening.
One of the campaign models Zac Cannell, who works in Sexual Health Counselling, said he’d come across confusion and misinformation in the community.
“We did see a bit of misinformation that ‘if you have never had sex with someone with a penis and you identify as someone with a vagina that there’s less reason to screen.’”
“And we know that that’s just not true.”
Zac is keen to help get the right message out.
“I work in sexual health and every day I talk about the importance of sexual and reproductive health and really looking after ourselves,” he said.
“For me, it still does feel a little bit confronting knowing that my image is going to be on a billboard with the word cervix, despite the fact that I am very publicly and obnoxiously trans.”
The campaign is the most recent initiative in a long line from SHINE SA and SAMESH in practicing inclusive health promotion.
“It’s about going ‘if this is what your body does, this is how you should look after it, regardless of who you are,’” said Zac.
“As we’re seeing more positive representation, we’re seeing less internalized stigma towards the community and greater collegiality, which is fantastic.”
For more information on cervical screening for LGBTIQ people, visit the Cancer Council website.
You can hear more from Zac about his work and running the TransHealth SA website on the JOY 94.9 podcast of Well, Well, Well.
