Glasgow Central MP Ms Alison Thewliss is supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in their call to make cervical cancer a disease of the past. Cervical screening prevents 75.5% of cervical cancers from developing, yet attendance in Scotland is falling. Only 70.0% of women in Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board are taking up their screening invitation.
Alison Thewliss MP said: “Nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day in the UK. Cervical screening provides the best protection against the disease so it is concerning to hear that so many women are not attending this potentially life-saving test when invited. We all have a role to play in increasing attendance and I would urge the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board to take action to tackle the declining coverage, which could ultimately save lives.”
Robert Music, Chief Executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “Thanks to the cervical screening and HPV vaccination programme, cervical cancer is a disease that can be prevented. We want to see it eradicated, however to get there we need to work together to increase uptake of cervical screening and HPV vaccination. If we do not do this, we will see more women diagnosed and more lives lost.”
Women aged 25-49 are invited for their screening every 3 years and women aged 50-64 are invited every five years. In the UK, over 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and 890 will lose their lives.
During January’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (22-28 January), Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, will be raising awareness of how women can reduce their risk of cervical cancer through attending regular cervical screening, being symptoms aware, knowing the risk factors and taking up the HPV vaccination if offered.