Hansard

I am grateful to Monica Lennon for bringing the debate to the chamber during cervical cancer prevention week. I believe that there is some discussion about how to pronounce cervical, but I will stick with the west coast way. However we pronounce it, it is vitally important for women’s health that women take up the invitation to go for a cervical smear test, so it is worrying that the number of women who are doing so is in decline. That needs to be addressed as a priority and may require another Government public health campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of the smear test and to provide reassurance.

As we know, a campaign is being run by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, which is a UK-wide charity that was set up by James Maxwell in memory of his wife Jo, who died from cervical cancer. It provides high-quality information and support to help prevent cancer and to reduce the impact on those who are affected by cervical cancer and abnormalities, and it campaigns for excellence in treatment and prevention.

Last year, the be cervix savvy roadshow toured the country and provided information and support about screening and cancer to local communities, including communities in Scotland. The purpose of the roadshow was to ensure that more people know what cervical screening is and what to expect at the test; understand the test’s role in preventing cancer; learn about cancer and how to spot the symptoms; and know who can have the HPV vaccine and why. I visited the roadshow bus last year when it was in Coatbridge. It was kept very busy, with lots of women, and some men accompanying them, coming to find out more.

As has been mentioned—and as, I think, women in the chamber will know—what can stop women attending is more likely to be the fear of the smear test and a possible bad result than a negative experience of the test itself. In order to encourage women to attend their appointments, it is important to ensure that they know that while the test is certainly not comfortable, it should not be painful. It is also crucial that there is discussion of the outcome, if a bad result is achieved. As Monica Lennon pointed out, there should be a particular focus on the excellent chances of treating cervical cancer if it is caught quickly.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust can help with information and advice about the test. It gives useful tips, such as ensuring that the test is carried out by a woman doctor or nurse, if that makes a woman feel more comfortable about attending their appointment. The only time that I have had a bad experience of the test, which was when I was quite young, was when it was carried out by a male doctor. I always try to ensure that I see a female doctor or nurse.

The trust highlights issues that women who are survivors of sexual abuse might have with screening, on which it provides specific advice and support. A further area of the website provides helpful advice for women with learning disabilities.

The trust’s current campaign is underpinned by new research that shows that, as we have heard, young women who delay the test or do not attend it can feel scared, vulnerable or embarrassed at the thought of having the test. Two thirds say that they would not feel in control during the test, so it is important to show them ways that they can be in control. Addressing those issues would undoubtedly help to boost screening numbers.

The idea of invasive screening can be particularly off-putting for young women. More research into ways of conducting less invasive screening would be extremely welcome. I was interested to hear Emma Harper talk about new research that is taking place into screening.