Hansard

I thank Ruth Maguire for securing the parliamentary time for such an important debate. Tragically, cancer is a major cause of death in Scotland. All of us have likely been touched in some way by its impact, and I know that all of us long for the day when it is eliminated for good.

It is a sobering thought that two women in the United Kingdom died today from cervical cancer, and this evening another nine women and their families are coming to terms with a diagnosis of cervical cancer. Some are mums, and some face the devastating prospect of losing their fertility as part of their treatment. However, there is hope, and that is through the cervical screening programme and the HPV vaccination programme.

On the latter, I was struck by the figures that were reported by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust: cases of cervical cancer have fallen by 97 per cent among women in their 20s as a result of the vaccine. I understand that in Scotland, uptake rates for the first dose of HPV have consistently exceeded 90 per cent, as Ruth Maguire said, and that is to be welcomed. However, as she pointed out, uptake levels for cervical screening are not as high, and that is where improvement is most needed.

Public Health Scotland data is available only for the period up to 31 March 2021, but it shows that the uptake rate for cervical screening was 69.3 per cent among eligible women. Worryingly, as Ruth Maguire said, uptake has declined in recent years and is especially low among women aged between 25 and 29.

Ruth Maguire also flagged up the multiple barriers to accessing a screening appointment. Anxiety and embarrassment can mean that women delay or decide not to do it. As she pointed out, experience of sexual trauma can also prevent women from being screened, and there are accessibility issues for women with a disability. Pain and fear of the result can also act as obstacles. We must do everything that we can to address those barriers, and it is important that we see leadership at the highest levels.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and other charities were vocal in their calls for the urgent appointment of a women’s health champion in Scotland. Bizarrely, that role was promised by the Scottish National Party as a “Medium-Term” action as part of its “Women’s Health Plan”, which is intended to cover only the period from 2021 to 2024.

I am pleased to see the position has now been filled by Professor Anna Glasier. However, like many of us, I was deeply frustrated by the time that was lost over the prolonged appointment process. I know that Professor Glasier is keen to focus her work on the menopause, endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. I hope that she will also work with health boards and charities to improve cervical screening uptake and to explore new ways to facilitate that process.

In the meantime, I urge all eligible women to please, please book a cervical screening appointment when the letter arrives—it could save your life.