Young targeted in cancer campaign

The Corner has dressed up its window as part of the campaign

Young women in Tayside are the target of a campaign to raise awareness of cervical cancer prevention.

The month-long NHS Tayside drive aims to inform 12-17 year-olds about human papilloma virus (HPV). Those aged 18-25 will be urged to go for smear tests.

HPV - which can be passed on through unprotected sex - is thought to be behind most cervical cancer cases.

In September, a vaccination programme against HPV will begin for girls in high schools across Scotland.

The Corner - a health and information service for young people in Dundee - will help promote awareness of the vaccine.

Jackie Fitzpatrick, a sexual health nurse, said: "The HPV vaccination programme is not about being sexually active, it's not encouraging young people to be sexually active.

"It is a preventative vaccine so that when certain young people become sexually active and perhaps have more than one partner then it's a way of acting as protection against cervical cancer.

Workers at The Corner give advice and information to young people

"It does not mean that women do not go ahead and have cervical smears, it just means it's an extra form of protection."

Deputy Manager of The Corner Manjeet Gill believes often young people will turn to them for health advice, rather than going to someone viewed as "official".

"Young people felt that they wanted a place - one place - to go where they could access information and advice on various things, rather than going to different places," she said.

"Health was a big focus - young people were finding it difficult to maybe go to GP practices due to various reasons - confidentiality, also it [The Corner] is accessible, it's in the city centre, and we don't need any appointment systems.

"Young people wanted informal and free services that they can pop in when the crises are there and speak to someone rather than wait on appointment systems."