A charity that campaigns for the elimination of cervical cancer has been praised by a local MSP.
During Cervical Cancer Prevention week (23rd - 29th January), the elected MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw spoke with representatives of the charity, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust at the Scottish Parliament.
Cervical cancer currently claims the lives of two women in the UK each day.
In Scotland, 323 women are diagnosed with this type of cancer on an annual basis and with 95 women losing their lives to the disease.
The charity is calling for action, innovation and awareness so that cervical cancer can become an illness of the past.
Jackson Carlaw is backing Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, through encouraging women who live in Eastwood to attend their cervical screening when invited and by supporting the efforts of the HPV immunisation programme.
In the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area that includes East Renfrewshire, cervical screening coverage currently stands at just 65 percent.
As a consequence, over one-third of women in the health board region do not attend screening when called.
Public Health Scotland data for 2021/22 highlights that over 90 percent of women living in East Renfrewshire received two doses of the HPV vaccine.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the leading cervical cancer charity in the UK and the organisation provides information and support to anyone affected.
The organisation campaigns for excellence in cervical cancer treatment, care and prevention and has a free and confidential national helpline that is available on 0808 802 8000.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
“Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust does magnificent work in supporting women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer and it was great to see the charity at the Scottish Parliament.
“Cervical screening and HPV vaccines can both help to prevent cervical cancer.
“I would encourage everyone in Eastwood who can to make use of these vital cancer prevention tools."