Meeting of the Parliament 22 January 2019
I thank members who have contributed to the debate today, and Monica Lennon for bringing it to the chamber.
Cervical screening is unique. Not only can it detect cancer early, but it can prevent cervical cancer before it begins. The screening test detects precancerous cell changes that are mainly caused by the human papilloma virus, which 80 per cent of us will get at some point in our lifetimes, and treatment as a result of screening prevents eight out of 10 cervical cancers from developing.
There is no doubt, therefore, that the cervical screening programme saves lives: it is the best protection against cervical cancer. As a woman who has been for a smear test, I believe that we must do all that we can to encourage eligible women to take up their cervical screening invitation. I agree with members that it is disappointing that uptake rates for cervical screening continue to decline. Latest figures show that just 72.8 per cent of eligible women attend screening in Scotland. That is down from 73.4 per cent in 2017 and about 80 per cent 10 years ago. The trend is not unique to Scotland; it is mirrored across the UK.
In my Rutherglen constituency, the most recent uptake data range from a high of 84.7 per cent to a low of 62.4 per cent. Uptake of screening was highest among women from the least-deprived areas and fell with increasing deprivation levels.
What is putting women off getting tested? Evidence shows that there are a number of barriers, from complex emotional obstacles such as fear, body shame and embarrassment to practical barriers such as struggling to attend an appointment due to work commitments or childcare. New research from Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and the Scottish Government shows that two thirds of Scottish women are unaware that not attending cervical screening is the biggest risk factor for developing cervical cancer. Awareness raising is therefore very important, but we must also recognise that uptake is lowest in our least-affluent communities.
The Scottish Government’s cancer strategy is investing up to £5 million in our NHS national cancer screening programmes, including cervical screening, in order to improve outcomes. The funds are supporting innovative projects, working to tackle inequalities and encouraging participation in screening programmes in communities from which individuals are least likely to take part.
So far, we have committed more than £2.7 million to support 25 projects. Cervical cancer prevention week gives us the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the good work that is currently being undertaken to tackle inequalities of access and to raise awareness of cervical screening in Scotland.
The Scottish Government warmly welcomes the input of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to the Scottish cervical screening programme, and we work closely with the trust to encourage women—especially women in hard-to-reach groups—to attend for screening. Under the cancer strategy, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has received funding for a Glasgow outreach service that targets specific groups in which there are significant health inequalities and a higher rate of non-attendance. It works with local general practices, sexual health clinics, community groups and volunteers to improve access to, and uptake of, cervical screening. Last year, Jo’s ran its first ever Scottish “Be cervix savvy” roadshow, which visited high streets and retail parks around Scotland. It increased awareness by addressing public knowledge of cervical screening and cancer. I was pleased to learn that two community workers from my constituency were trained as volunteers and joined the roadshow when it travelled to Lanarkshire.
The Scottish Government’s cancer strategy supports Clyde Gateway—Scotland’s biggest and most ambitious regeneration programme company—in tackling inequalities in access to screening. The Clyde project includes the creation of additional monthly cervical screening clinics. That gives women the choice of a more convenient appointment time, which increases flexibility and accessibility.