MP’s concern over declining cervical screening uptake

WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones has expressed concern over a worrying decline in the uptake of cervical screening – despite that fact that nearly three women die every day from cervical cancer.
The MP is backing Cervical Screen Awareness Week, which is led by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the only charity in the UK dedicated to people affected by the disease.
Cervical screening prevents 75 per cent of cervical cancers from developing in the UK yet one in four women do not attend cervical screening when invited and this figure is declining year on year.
The awareness week is aiming to increase awareness of the importance of attending cervical screening (smear tests) to prevent cervical cancer.
Ms Jones said: “Every year over 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer.  It is the most common cancer in women under 35.  The primary cause is infection with the very common Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which causes 99.7 per cent of all cervical cancers.
“The highly successful introduction of the HPV vaccine that protects against around 70 per cent of all cervical cancers will result in a significant decrease in future levels.
“ At present nearly three women still die every day from cervical cancer,  and there is a decline in the uptake of cervical screening –down from 87 per cent in 1994 to 73.5 per cent in 2015.
“Lives are at risk as a result.
“The message is clear for all women – please make sure you attend your cervical screening appointment.”