To mark Cervical Screening Awareness Week (20-26 June), Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is joining Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to raise awareness of the test and encourage sharing of tips and experiences to help more women and people with a cervix to attend. 

Cervical screening saves lives, preventing up to 7 in 10 incidences of cervical cancer. Despite this, almost 1 in 3 do not attend their cervical screening (smear test) when invited.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is using Cervical Screening Awareness Week to share support and tips to help people address common barriers to screening.

Darren said:

“I am supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust because I want all those eligible for a smear test in Conwy and Denbighshire to have all the facts about this potentially life-saving screening.

“Cervical screening prevents around 75% of cancers from ever starting. It identifies people who are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer and saves thousands of lives every year. It is the best protection against cervical cancer.

“In Wales, England and Northern Ireland, you are invited every 3 years between the ages of 25-49, and every 5 years between the ages of 50-64, yet throughout the UK, worryingly, 1 in 4 do not attend when invited and 1 in 3 young women do not attend.

“Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust recognise that attending screening is not easy for everyone. There are many reasons why some women find it difficult, these include struggling to get an appointment, a previous bad experience, past trauma, embarrassment and not understanding what the test is for.

“To help women, throughout Cervical Screening Awareness Week, the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust will therefore be sharing tips, experiences and working with experts to help those who find cervical screening difficult. Visit Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website: Jostrust.org.uk or their social media pages for more information.”

Samantha Dixon, Chief Executive, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said:

“We want everyone to have the support and facts they need to access cervical screening and deal with an unexpected result. Cervical screening can help stop cervical cancer before it starts so it’s an incredibly important test.”