CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION WEEK

Today marks the end of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.

I met with the Chief Executive, Samantha Dixon (pictured below) and volunteers from Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust as the charity calls for action to eliminate cervical cancer in the UK.

Cervical cancer currently kills two women in the UK every day so action, innovation, and awareness to help end cervical cancer is needed.

This week, dedicated focusing on prevention, is about encouraging women to attend their cervical screening when invited, and supporting the efforts of the HPV immunisation programme.

Cervical screening coverage in the NHS Ayrshire & Arran Health Board area is 71.7% which means that almost one third of women do not attend their screening when invited.

We have the opportunity to effectively consign a cancer to the history books.

Cervical screening and HPV vaccines can both help prevent cervical cancer and I would encourage everyone who can to make use of these amazing cancer prevention tools.

Attending a screening isn’t always easy, but Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust can provide advice, support and information to any woman who requires it.

For more information, please visit jostrust.org.uk or call the charity’s helpline on 0808 802 8000.