Hansard

I thank Ruth Maguire for securing this important debate.

We are fortunate to live in a time when we have access to early detection and prevention strategies for cervical cancer, which is a largely preventable disease. The HPV vaccine had been approved in 80 countries by 2007 and, as of October 2019, 100 countries worldwide were vaccinating against HPV as part of their regular vaccine schedule.

Uptake of the vaccine in Scotland is about 84 per cent, which is an incredible achievement, and Scottish data has shown that diagnosis of cervical cell changes decreased by 89 per cent among people who had been vaccinated against HPV. However, we still need to do more.

The cervical screening programme is a powerful tool to detect cell changes prior to them becoming cancerous, and that is where we need to see improvement. It is worrying to hear that one in three women do not take up the screening invite. In order to improve those numbers, we must identify and address the barriers that people face. Fear of the procedure itself, embarrassment and lack of knowledge about the implications of smear results undoubtedly play a role in individuals avoiding or delaying their smear invitations. That is compounded by the current pressures that are facing the national health service, which are causing a lack of appointments and, often, long waits.

Unfortunately, the more disadvantaged groups in our society are, again, the worst affected. We know that people with learning or physical disabilities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to attend smear appointments. Excellent work is already being done to tackle those problems. Strategies such as self-sampling programmes to enable at-home testing show promising results, and they allow those for whom traditional methods of screening might be unsuitable the option to get checked.

The NHS and relevant charities already do a fantastic job. Their awareness campaigns, staff screening clinics and online resources continue to increase awareness and push us towards the World Health Organization’s global strategy for cervical cancer elimination.

We have the tools and knowledge to eradicate the disease, but the reality is that two women in the UK continue to lose their lives from cervical cancer every day. Cancer affects us all, whether personally or through someone close to us. Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that we are currently able to detect and treat at such an early stage. That is why we need to push for the change that will make the disease a less common reality for women not only in Ayrshire or Scotland but around the world.

I encourage all women to take up their cervical screening invites. Your health is important, and this simple procedure, done at the right time, could make all the difference. I urge everyone to continue to speak about this important topic and, when they are invited, to take up the offer of vaccination and screening. Those are quick steps that could literally save your life.