To mark Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23rd – 29th January) Ruth Maguire MSP is supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in its call to get towards a future where cervical cancer is a thing of the past.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally. Everyday in the UK there are 9 new diagnoses and 2 women will lose their lives. In 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a global call for action to eliminate cervical cancer. For the first time ever, the world has committed to eliminating a cancer.
HPV vaccination and cervical screening can help prevent, and one day end cervical cancer. However, uptake has been falling in many parts of the country.
Public Health Scotland’s most recent report on cervical screening revealed that in the Ayrshire and Arran area, had a 71.3% uptake in cervical cancer screenings between the 25-49 age group. However, nationally the uptake is fewer than 7 out of 10 women. We would hope for this to increase in the coming years.
Ruth will be sponsoring a ‘Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’ drop-in event alongside Carol Mochan MSP. This event will educate MSP’s on current HPV vaccination and cervical screening statistics to encourage full government support surrounding the cause and promoting the national ambition to overcome cervical cancer.
Samantha Dixon, Chief Executive at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: ”A world without cervical cancer is in our reach, and we want to get there as soon as possible. By raising awareness of cervical screening and HPV vaccination, we can help stop more women developing cancer before it starts. We can all play our part to do this and get closer to ending cervical cancer.”
For more information about what you can do support Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, please visit; https://www.jostrust.org.uk/.
Ruth Maguire MSP 