Chamber
Plenary, 01 Feb 2007
01 Feb 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Cervical Cancer
Speaker
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That the Parliament welcomes the licensing of the first vaccine against strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV) responsible for around 70% of cases of cervical cancer; expresses its concern that, despite a 40-year history of cervical screening in the United Kingdom, almost 3,000 women are diagnosed and 1,000 women still die of cervical cancer each year in the UK; recognises that the vaccine will not prevent all cases of cervical cancer and that it is not known whether it will prevent cancer in women already infected with HPV; therefore believes that the cervical cancer screening programme should be continued and that further action should be taken to increase the take-up of screening in more deprived areas, among ethnic minority groups and among women with learning difficulties; further believes that this will improve early detection and allow earlier treatment of this disease; recognises the role of charities such as Jo's Trust, Cancerbackup and Cancer Research UK, amongst others, in supporting patients with cervical cancer and their families and in counselling the thousands more women who worry about their health following an abnormal smear result; recognises the huge potential benefits to be had through vaccination in East Renfrewshire and throughout Scotland from reducing the incidence of cervical cancer, reducing the number of colposcopies, reducing the number of abnormal smears and reducing the number of people requiring treatment for genital warts; further recognises the success of the Scottish Executive in its public health campaigns and cancer prevention strategies, and considers that ministers should put in place measures to raise awareness and to prepare for a vaccination programme.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S2M-5359, in the name of Ken Macintosh, on cervical cancer and the human papilloma v...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament welcomes the licensing of the first vaccine against strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV) responsible for around 70% of cases of cer...
Mr Kenneth Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab):
Lab
I thank all the members who are present for the debate and the 50 or so members who have signed the motion on cervical cancer and the human papilloma virus. ...
Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP):
SNP
The member will be aware that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation—I hope that I have got the name right—will have its next meeting on 14 Febr...
Mr Macintosh:
Lab
I agree whole-heartedly. The member has identified one course of action on which we can press the minister.The JCVI has still to decide on the vaccination pr...
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Ken Macintosh on securing this very important debate and on his commitment to the cross-party group on cancer. I do not know whether Shona Rob...
Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green):
Green
I am happy to speak in this debate on an issue that I think is going to become a medical hot topic. The first paragraph of the briefing that members have rec...
Dr Jean Turner (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind):
Ind
I thank Ken Macintosh for securing such an important debate.A lot of good words have already been said, and from the practical point of view of having done c...
Mr Macintosh:
Lab
Does Jean Turner agree that, although the cervical cancer screening programme has been dramatically successful in reducing the number of deaths and in reassu...
Dr Turner:
Ind
Ken Macintosh is right, and I think that it was mentioned that familiarity sometimes breeds contempt. People can just come along and get their smear, but the...
Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I will be fairly brief because a lot of what I was going to say has already been said. I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak, and I add my congratula...
Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I will be brief, because most of what I wanted to say has already been said. I, too, thank Ken Macintosh for bringing the debate to the chamber. As others ha...
The Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care (Lewis Macdonald):
Lab
I, too, thank Ken Macintosh for his opening remarks and for bringing this debate to the chamber, and I thank members for their constructive contributions on ...
Ms Watt:
SNP
Are any programmes specifically designed for women from ethnic minorities? I know that they find it particularly difficult.
Lewis Macdonald:
Lab
Yes. I recognise, as has been said by a couple of members, that among certain groups that is an issue. Boards recognise that and deal with it on a case-by-ca...
Meeting closed at 17:44.