Wishart highlights Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2024
Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart is supporting this year’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (22nd - 28th January). Wishart is encouraging people in Shetland to attend their cervical screening when invited and receive the HPV vaccination when offered.
Cervical cancer currently kills two women in the UK every day and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is calling for action, innovation, and awareness to help end cervical cancer. Up to 1 in 3 do not attend their appointment when invited.
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection and is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer - the fourth most common cause of cancer in women worldwide.
Results of Public Health Scotland (PHS) research reported this week that the HPV (human papillomavirus virus) vaccine was "highly effective" in preventing the development of the cancer.
The HPV vaccination programme started in 2008 with girls offered the vaccine in their first year at secondary school, aged 12 or 13. Boys are now also offered the vaccine helping to protect them from other HPV-related cancers later in life.
Wishart has supported a motion in the Scottish Parliament highlighting the success of the HPV vaccine programme and the work of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
Ms Wishart said:
“It is excellent news that the HPV vaccine has been “highly effective” since the 2008 roll out to first year secondary school girls.
“With cervical screening and the vaccination programme, and if offered either I’d encourage they are taken up, it now seems possible that cervical cancer could be eliminated.
“Worrying about your health is understandable but support is available through NHS Shetland or the charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. More information about the charity can be found online.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity, providing information and support to anyone affected, and campaigning for excellence in cervical cancer treatment, care, and prevention. Its national Helpline is free, confidential, and available on 0808 802 8000. www.jostrust.org.uk
Beatrice Wishart MSP signed motion S6M-11942:
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2024
That the Parliament welcomes Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2024, which runs from 22 to 28 January and is aimed at raising awareness of the causes and symptoms of the condition; understands that it is the most common cancer in women under 35 and that, every day in the UK, sadly two women lose their lives to cervical cancer and nine more receive a life-changing diagnosis; commends Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, which leads the End Cervical Cancer campaign, launched in 2023, to work towards a day where cervical cancer is a thing of the past; believes that the charity aims to remove any potential barriers that may prevent women from attending screenings; highlights the importance of cervical screening as the best protection against cervical cancer; expresses its delight that NHS England has committed to eliminating cervical cancer by 2040, and understands that the charity wishes to see this ambition shared across the UK; is enthused at reports, which emerged on 22 January 2024 from Public Health Scotland, that no cervical cancers have been detected in fully vaccinated women following HPV immunisation at age 12-13 since the programme started in Scotland, and considers that this is an excellent sign that Scotland is moving in the right direction, but believes that, with national cervical screening coverage below 70%, and the HPV vaccination programme still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still a lot of work to do to tackle inequalities and make sure that everyone has the right information, access and support to protect themselves from cervical cancer.