Meeting of the Parliament 08 February 2023
I thank my colleague Ruth Maguire for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I also commend her for recently hosting a drop-in event at the Parliament for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and highlighting the end cervical cancer campaign.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust was set up by James Maxwell in memory of his wife, Jo, who died from cervical cancer at the age of 40 in 1999. Following Jo’s diagnosis in 1995, Jo and James had difficulty in finding good information about every aspect of cervical cancer. It was their hope that one day, everyone would have easy access to the best and most up-to-date information.
Most importantly for Jo, it was her wish that women who were affected by cervical cancer would have the opportunity to communicate with others who were facing similar challenges. It is encouraging that, more than 20 years later, Jo’s legacy still lives on, but there is still work to be done.
Funding from the Scottish Government’s screening inequality fund in 2022 is enabling the charity to offer training, information and support to health boards in Scotland in order to address inequalities in cervical screening uptake. As we have heard, sadly, women from the most deprived areas are less likely to take part in screening, with uptake of only 63 per cent in comparison with 74 per cent in the least deprived areas. As we know, younger women, particularly those aged between 25 and 29, are also less likely to attend screening. No woman should be left behind when it comes to cervical screening.
To mention someone from many years ago, of whom we are all aware, there has been a Jade Goody effect on cervical cancer screening. The reality television star lost her life to cervical cancer in 2009. Her battle was very public, with her diagnosis coming two days after she was set to appear in the Indian version of “Big Brother” in August 2008. Before her TV appearance, she had had tests for symptoms including pain in her legs and heavy bleeding. In September that year, her cancer was deemed life threatening, and she had a radical hysterectomy and started chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A documentary called “Jade’s Cancer Battle” was aired on television at that time.
She died on 22 March 2009. She was only 27, and the mother of two young boys. However, her legacy would prove to be something powerful, as we see if we take a step back. When it was first announced that her cancer was terminal, medical authorities across the whole UK announced a surge in requests from women, particularly young women, for cervical screening.
Jade Goody had the ability to reach those women that some campaigns and awareness drives just could not reach, and her fight brought home the importance of the cervical smear. Her legacy saved lives. Sadly, as time has gone on, that effect has worn off, which is why it is so important that we continue to highlight the importance of screening. It is important that women, young and old, know about the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and the importance of taking up cervical screening when it is offered. We need to have the conversation continue. Telling personal stories can be difficult, and I applaud the bravery of everybody who is keeping the conversation alive. If it saves one life, it will have been worth it.
For some, the conversation will be a reminder but, for younger women, it might be a new conversation. Therefore, I say to every woman who might be listening to this debate that, when the smear test letter comes through your door, please ensure that you make your appointment. Yes, it can be embarrassing and it can be slightly uncomfortable, but it is over in 10 minutes and it could save your life. One in three women do not attend their smear test, and we must change that. It needs to change if we are going to save lives. Let me tell you the symptoms again: unusual bleeding, and pain in your back, your hips or your legs. Just look out for symptoms that are out of the ordinary.
As previous speakers have mentioned, each year in Scotland, 323 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 95 women lose their lives. However, 93 per cent of cervical cancers are preventable through screening—they just have to be caught in time. Therefore, I say again that, when the letter appears, please do not ignore it and please take time to book your screening, because it could save your life.