New figures show thousands of women in Scotland are risking their lives
Thousands of women in Scotland are putting their lives at risk, according to official figures out today.
The news that between 2009 and 2010 only 73.7% of eligible women took up their offer of cervical screening and that there has been a significant drop in the number of smear tests carried out is of “massive concern”, according to one expert.
“We have seen screening uptake numbers rise, but only by 0.3% and NHS laboratories dealt with a staggering 35,000 less smear tests than they did in the previous year. It is a real worry that 25%, that’s tens of thousands of women in Scotland are ignoring their invitation for a test that takes less than five minutes but which could save their lives,” says Robert Music, Director of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
“Last year we saw an upsurge in women being screened as a result of the ‘Jade Goody effect’. It is sad to see that so many women still appear not to realise that cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease and that screening has a major part to play in that.”
Screening can pick up pre-cancerous changes which can be treated so they don’t develop into cancer. Following the death of reality TV contestant Goody from cervical cancer, Scotland saw screening rates for 2008-9 rise by 4% overall and by 6% among 20-24 year olds.
“It is of real concern that the impact we saw on awareness appears to be disappearing so quickly. It is vital we continue doing all we can to raise awareness and to encourage women to attend screening. It could mean the difference between life and death.”
Last updated: 01/09/2010
