Campaign launched as smear tests hit 10-year low inWales

THE number of women in Wales attending cervical screening is at a 10-year low, new figures have revealed.

In 2015-16, 77.8% of eligible women went for a screening session in Wales, meaning more than one in five are not having this life-saving test.

Leading charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is concerned that if this number keeps increasing more lives will be lost.

The not-for-profit organisation says it is particularly worried about coverage of women aged 25-29, which has dropped to 75.7% in Wales, and those aged 60-64, which has dipped to 72.7%.

While coverage in Wales is the highest in the UK, last year four out of five health boards did not reach their target of 80% coverage.

The charity is now calling on the public to help raise awareness of the role of cervical screening in preventing cancer by getting involved with their #SmearForSmear campaign.

It urges people to upload a smeared lipstick selfie on social media with the message: “Attend your smear, reduce your risk of cervical cancer, and nominate your friends to do the same.”

Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “We have one of the best cervical screening programmes in the world, saving approximately 5,000 lives every year.

“However, at a time when the number attending in Wales is at a 10-year low, we need to be seeing increased investment in targeted awareness campaigns to encourage women to take up their invitation for cervical screening.

“Cervical screening prevents 70% of cervical cancers from developing and if we do not prioritise prevention, there will be more women facing the physical and psychological cost of cervical cancer, an increased burden on the NHS and state, and more lives lost.”

Dr Rosemary Fox, director of the screening division of Public Health Wales, said: “It’s positive that eight out of 10 women do attend for their smears and gain the protection against cancer that screening offers.

“I’d like to encourage the women who have doubts about cervical screening, or find it difficult, not to ignore their screening invitation. I’d advise them to talk to their GP or practice nurse about screening, and give it a try – it could save their life.”

Last week the Welsh Government announced more accurate and userfriendly tests for cervical cancer.

Minister for Social Services and Public Health Rebecca Evans announced that, in future, women will be screened for the main cause of cervical cancer instead – high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV).