The Eve Appeal is the UK’s leading gynaecological cancer charity, focused on improving prevention and early diagnosis of womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal cancers. In May 2026, we shared an illustration of the vulval anatomy to Instagram. This was not explicit content, nor was it shared for shock value; it was clearly annotated for educational purposes. Our post was removed after being flagged as possibly containing ‘nudity or sexual activity’.

The post later did not pass the review for following ‘Community Standards’ and we were given a ‘warning’ on our account. We submitted an appeal to the Oversight Board. However, the Board only selects limited appeals for review. Inexplicably, our post was restored over the weekend, but has been flagged as ‘Sensitive content’ saying that it ‘may contain images that some people might find upsetting’ and that they ‘cover sensitive or potentially graphic content so that people can choose whether to see it’. This is not good enough.

Our post was created to help people understand their bodies, normalise conversations around gynaecological anatomy and ultimately to help save lives.

Checking your vulval skin for changes is critical in the prevention and early diagnosis of vulval cancer. Right now, we know awareness of vulval cancer is woefully low and it is a cancer on the rise. Far too many don’t know that this cancer exists, or the signs to look out for. Patients with symptoms can face stigma and embarrassment, which often prevents them from seeking help quickly. And sadly, we speak to women who say they only learned what a vulva was after being diagnosed with vulval cancer.  

Knowledge of your anatomy, getting to know what is normal for your body, and feeling comfortable talking about your gynae health are all critical in preventing disease and getting diagnosed and treated earlier. A shift to prevention is central in the new NHS 10 Year Plan and National Cancer Plan. We applaud and want to support this. Social media plays a key role in sharing lifesaving gynae health information and Instagram is a huge platform that enables organisations like The Eve Appeal to reach people across the world. Our post was fully in line with Instagram’s Community Standards, which states that they allow nudity when the purpose is educational- to raise awareness or to talk about health. The ‘nuance’ in the guidelines also states that they allow art that depicts nude figures.  

Despite this, our appeal was rejected, our account received a warning, and when the post was reinstated, it was hidden as ‘sensitive’. The message this sends is deeply concerning: that accurate images, correct language, and clear education about gynae health are still considered taboo. Hidden and flagged images cannot be the answer. 

The health information we produce and share is approved by the gold standard PIF TICK health information trust mark. This is not the first time our content has been censored, but it is happening more often. 

In September 2025, a collaborative post with an NHS GP, Dr Aziza Sesay, who specialises in women’s health used a crochet vulva to demonstrate how to check for signs of vulval cancer was hidden behind a warning that people ‘might find the content upsetting’.

During a previous Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month, a similar post, created in collaboration with NHS Voices, was again flagged as ‘sensitive content’. 

In 2021 #Vagina was blocked, and in July 2023 the hashtag #VaginalCancer had been hidden on Instagram. #VaginalCancer was later reinstated following a petition.

Yet here we are again. We’re here in spite of the new Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE) Guidance stating that reproductive anatomy should be taught from primary school. We’re here in spite of the Women’s Health Strategy making a powerful statement about tackling misogyny in healthcare.  

One of the reasons shame and stigma persist is because gynae anatomy continues to be distorted and sexualised, even within the context of health information. Taboos and stigma around gynae health will continue to exist in the face of this censorship.   

We would like to meet with you to get an explanation of the technology and review team identification standards and to discuss how we can avoid the censorship of educational content on gynaecological health going forward. This is lifesaving and important. Eve is not alone; there are doctors, nurses, specialist charities, teachers, sex educators and experts across women’s health who stand right with us. Everyone should know their own anatomy – name it, don’t shame it. 

Signatory organisations to the letter include:

• Anna O’Sullivan, co-founder of CensHERship 
• Clio Wood, co-founder of CensHERship 
• Dr Alison Wright, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 
• Dr Zara Haider, President of the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare 
• Eliza Bell, Communications and Policy Manager at Brook 
• Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives
• Lucy Emmerson, Chief Executive of the Sex Education Forum 
• Sophie Randall, Director of the Patient Information Forum (PIF)
• Duncan McAuley, Chief Executive Officer at the School and Public Health Nurses Association
• Kate Prince, Head of Public Affairs UKI at Essity
• Diane Danzebrink, Founder and CEO of Menopause Support
• Dr Annabel Sowemimo, Community Sexual & Reproductive Health Consultant
• Dr Aziza Sesay, GP
• Dr Anisha Patel, GP
• Dr Anita Mitra, Gynaecologist and Cancer Surgeon
• Dr Hannah Barham Brown, GP and University Lecturer
• Dr Nighat Arif, GP
• Dr Raj Arora, GP
• Dr Toni Hazell, GP.

Show your support by signing our open letter

The broader impact

The CensHERship campaign highlights the impact of digital suppression. Their white paper found:

• 95% prevalence: CensHERship research shows that 95% of nearly 200 women’s health organisations, charities, creators, and brands have reported experiencing censorship, suppression, or restrictions when discussing women’s health online. 
• Over half (53%) of respondents now self-censor (using euphemisms, vague terms or avoiding topics entirely) due to this
• 38% of respondents have experienced 10 or more incidents in the past 12 months
• Issues were most prevalent on Instagram (90% experienced issues there), followed by facebook (52%) and TikTok (32%)
• Only 2% of respondents were satisfied with platform responses to moderation concerns.

CensHERship are collecting an ongoing survey to help centralise examples and strengthen the evidence base for policymakers and regulators so that we have a greater chance for change. You can add any examples of censorship to their collection on this link.