Charity & advocacy

Fertility Action has launched a campaign highlighting England's NHS IVF postcode lottery, delivering 30 boxes of negative pregnancy tests to Parliament. The charity is calling for fairer access to NHS-funded fertility treatment, with each box representing an Integrated Care Board (ICB) offering eligible patients just one funded IVF cycle. Of those 30 ICBs, 19 offer [...]

People from minority ethnic backgrounds in England were up to 33 per cent less likely to have breast cancer diagnosed through routine screening, a study found. The research also found that people from marginalised groups were more likely to be diagnosed following an urgent suspected cancer referral or an emergency presentation. Researchers suggest that inequalities [...]

Breast cancer rates among women under 50 in England rose between 2001 and 2023, an analysis of NHS data found. Cases increased from 42 per 100,000 women under 50 in 2001 to 47.5 per 100,000 in 2023. The analysis also found increases in several other cancers among adults under 50, although most cancers are still [...]

The UK government has launched a three-year partnership with Breast Cancer Now to improve breast cancer awareness and support for women during and after treatment.  The Department of Health and Social Care said it is the first partnership to help deliver its Renewed Women’s Health Strategy. Women will receive practical information on checking their breasts, [...]

Some menopause supplements costing more than £400 a year offered no better nutrient coverage than a £22 multivitamin, an analysis by Which? found. Products marketed to women over 45 going through menopause or perimenopause often lacked meaningful quantities of key nutrients despite costing around 20 times more than standard multivitamins.   None of [...]

By Women As One Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death across European Society of Cardiology (ESC) member countries. Yet the latest 2025 ESC Atlas project report tells a story of progress. Over the past three decades, cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality rates have declined, reflecting advances in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare delivery. [...]

 Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has launched a three-year Women’s Health Plan setting out actions to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support for women in Scotland. The 2026 to 2029 plan includes commitments on health information, prevention and early detection, professional training, peer support, post-diagnosis care, policy and research. It comes amid disparities affecting women [...]

After more than a decade of campaigning, doctors around the world have agreed to rename polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is hoped the new name, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, will help end the misconception that the condition is all about cysts, which campaigners say has contributed to missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment. [...]

A rare pregnancy complication has led to emergency surgery, including hysterectomies, after staff failed to detect it in affected women. Scores of women have come forward to tell their stories of how they were affected by placenta accreta spectrum, or PAS, since the launch in February of a campaign to raise awareness among NHS staff [...]

Hull landmarks are being lit yellow to raise endometriosis awareness, campaigners say. Hull City Hall, Hull Minster and Bridlington Spa are among the buildings being lit in yellow from 18:30 GMT on Friday to mark Endometriosis Awareness Month. Hull-based Hey Endo has called on local businesses, shops and homes to join in by turning their [...]