Hansard

This is cervical cancer prevention week, and I am grateful to members who supported my motion to allow this debate to take place.

There is actually a lot to be positive about when it comes to cancer of the cervix. Why? Because it can largely be prevented through the human papilloma virus vaccination, which is given to girls—and soon to boys—in Scotland and through cervical screening, which is also known as a smear test.

Tonight, with thanks to the fantastic campaigning and research led by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, we will talk about cervical screening, and I hope that we will focus on what more we can do in Scotland to make cervical cancer a disease of the past.

This debate is critical, because not enough women are attending their smear tests—I know that is an issue that the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing is taking very seriously.

Let us face it: no one likes having a smear test. Like too many women in Scotland, I have ignored reminder letters and missed my smear test in the past. It can be uncomfortable and many of us feel embarrassed to talk about it, never mind go to the appointment.

The latest round of statistics reveals that the number of women not attending their regular screening is increasing; in fact, attendance is at an all-time low. Despite our nationwide cervical screening programme, which offers the test to women between the ages of 25 and 64, about one in four women do not attend their regular appointment. Uptake is even lower among younger women, despite the fact that cervical cancer is the most common cancer for women under the age of 35. Only 62 per cent of women aged between 25 and 29 attend their regular appointment, yet not attending smear test appointments is one of the biggest risk factors for developing cervical cancer.

According to new research by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, young women do not go for their smear tests, because they feel embarrassed, scared or vulnerable—eight out of 10 admit that they are embarrassed. Difficulty in getting a suitable appointment time or time off work are also factors.

We have to remove the fear of the unknown and the worry around smear tests. This week, high-profile celebrities, campaigners and even politicians are sharing a lipstick-smeared selfie on #smearforsmear. After I shared mine on Twitter yesterday, a close friend told me that that is just what I look like on a normal night out—a claim that I strongly reject. The WhatsApp discussion with my girlfriends that followed that remark proved to me that it is good for women to talk about our health fears and that a little bit of light-hearted humour can perhaps help with that.

Katy Johnston, from BBC’s “The Social”, recently filmed her experience of going for a smear test. As she says in the video:

“Realistically, this is two minutes of your life—a little bit of awkwardness, sure, embarrassment—but it could stop cells in their tracks before they become cancer.”

Katy has endometriosis and got over her initial fear of the test, but we must recognise that it is not an easy procedure for all women. The my body back project, based at the Sandyford clinic in Glasgow, provides a dedicated smear testing service for women who have experienced sexual violence. There are so many lessons to be learned from that project. We need vital trauma-informed services as standard across the country.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust told me about Nicola, from Scotland, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2015. Let her words sink in:

“I was diagnosed with stage 1b2 cervical cancer at age 35 after putting off my smear test for over a year. It was 6 weeks before I was due to get married overseas. I was devastated. The word ‘Cancer’ seemed to take over my whole life and the thought that I might not be around to see my two children grow up terrified me. I postponed my treatment for a few weeks until after my wedding, because I thought, if something were to go wrong then at least I could leave my husband, children and family with wonderful memories of our wedding and holiday together. A radical hysterectomy means I can no longer have children and I went into early menopause. The physical and psychological impact of cancer will never go away but I look forward to the day that no one is diagnosed with cervical cancer.”

What can we do to get the word out that cervical cancer can be prevented, so that other women in Scotland do not have the same experience as Nicola’s?

First, the Scottish Government and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust deserve enormous credit for previous initiatives. The nip it in the bud campaign ran last year and is exactly the type of awareness work that we need more of. The HPV vaccination programme also deserves massive credit.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has been calling for Scotland to continue to lead the way by running a pilot of self-sampling, which could have a hugely positive effect on screening levels. I was pleased to read reports today that the national health service in Scotland will pilot a scheme of self-sampling for women who have routinely not kept their regular appointments, and I look forward to seeing its results.

More could be done by health boards to monitor general practices with a low uptake and to increase the availability of screening appointments. Samantha, one of my constituents in Hamilton, waited more than two months for an appointment—clearly, that is not acceptable. Another wise woman, Lesley from Edinburgh, had this to say:

“Imagine we didn’t get smear tests under the NHS—we’d all be campaigning to get them for free. It’s a few minutes at the nurse, who has probably seen a lot worse than your lady garden and it’s so important and life-saving.”

In a novel initiative by a Glasgow beauty salon, Debbie Porter offers free waxing services to women to encourage them to book their smear test. As reported on Glasgow Live recently, Debbie posted to her clients on Facebook:

“Being a wax specialist, I see many of you girls who admit you haven’t been for a smear or are too scared to do so, yet, you have me wax you for 20 minutes.”

Debbie has a point.

There are many reasons why women put off their smear tests, but there is one overriding reason why they should not: the test protects against cervical cancer and can save lives.

I thank all the women who have shared their experiences and thoughts with me and, of course, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust—a number of whose volunteers and board members are in the gallery tonight—for all the amazing work that they do. Presiding Officer, minister, colleagues, if we match our shared ambition with action, we can consign cervical cancer to the history books.