Women are urged to attend cervical tests
Breathing Space, Scotland’s mental health phone service, has launched a campaign aimed at combating loneliness.
The ‘You Matter, We Care’ campaign will direct people to the Breathing Space helpline, which is available in the evenings and at the weekends for anyone feeling low, stressed or anxious.
In her capacity as Minister for Mental Health, Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said: “Taking steps early on to improve mental wellbeing – caring for ourselves and for others – is so important; for example, talking things through with friends and family often allows us to see solutions for ourselves in a way thinking alone cannot.
“I’m very supportive of the work Breathing Space do to support people across Scotland and ‘You Matter, We Care’ is just one way we can help more people.”
A ‘You Matter, We Care’ calendar and ‘Little Book of Brighter Days’ with information on compassion and caring for self is available to order free from Breathing Space. EDEL KENEALY
More than a quarter of all Lanarkshire women eligible for cervical screening have not taken up the offer, the Reformer can reveal.
Cervical screening, also known as a smear test, helps detect abnormal cells on the cervix which can lead to cervical cancer.
The test has been described as “life saving” by medics.
Figures obtained from NHS Lanarkshire, reveal that in 2017/18 only 73.9 per cent of women aged 24 to 49 invited for cervical screening took up the invitation.
Of those aged 50 to 64 years, 74.9 per cent attended the arranged appointment.
The figures mean one in four women are not undergoing the test that can prevent up to 75 per cent of cervical cancers developing.
Currently women aged 24 to 49 are invited for a smear test every three years and those aged 50 to 64 every five years.
But recent research, published by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, has found that young women delay or do not go for cervical screening as they often feel scared, vulnerable, and embarrassed at the thought of going.
Jennifer Darnborough, public health consultant at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “The test is simple and quick and literally saves lives.
“Please go for your smear test every time you are invited, or contact your GP practice if you missed your last one. Don’t let any worries or niggles about the test put you off.
“If you are unsure about anything relating to the test, talk to your practice nurse. They do smear tests all the time.”
Every year in the UK, around 3,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under. It is not thought to be hereditary.
In 99.7 per cent of all cases, cervical cancers are caused by persistent infections with a virus called high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
Cervical screening is the best protection against the disease, followed by the HPV vaccine offered in schools.