In Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to ensure constituents know where they can access support and up to date information about cervical screening (smear tests).
Cervical screening is a potentially life-saving test yet there are many challenges to attendance. COVID-19 has simply added more, with research by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust showing one in 10 (9%) say they definitely wouldn’t attend cervical screening now and 22% feel less likely to attend.
Attendance was already low before the pandemic began, with 1 in 4 not attending when invited. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Darren Millar MS are concerned this is now much lower following increased hesitancy, NHS pressures and disruptions to programmes. While cervical screening is still happening across much of the country, some practices are understandably struggling to continue to provide appointments.
Darren Millar MS said:
“We know that cervical screenings are the best protection against cervical cancer, but they aren’t always easy. The impact of the pandemic has further highlighted that we need to make these test more accessible for everybody. This is why I’m backing Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, and their call for self-sampling, a safer and more accessible option, to be offered as part of the national screening programme as soon as possible.”
Rebecca Shoosmith, Acting Chief Executive, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said:
“We are so pleased to have Darren’s support during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. We know through our support services that there is lots of confusion and anxiety about cervical screening and cell changes at the moment and we want to ensure that everyone has the information and support they need.”
The charity has found overwhelming support for self-sampling from the public in multiple rounds of research over several years. This includes women with a physical disability, survivors of sexual violence, and those who have never attended cervical screening.
For information on self sampling, please visit: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blog/blog/what-hpv-self-sampling
For more general support please visit Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website Jostrust.org.uk
