A REGIONAL MSP is encouraging women in the Borders to attend regular smear tests.
Claudia Beamish (Lab, South Scotland) has joined charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’s campaign to get more people going to screenings more often.
She told us: “Last year cervical screening uptake in Scotland fell from 73.4 per cent to 72.8 per cent which means more than one in four eligible women missed their screen test.
“Yet regular screening prevents up to 75 per cent of cervical cancers developing.
“The statistics are particularly worrying for younger women where uptake is only 62 per cent despite the fact cervical cancer is the most common cancer for women aged under 35.
“I know going for a smear test isn’t easy, it can be uncomfortable and awkward but it is so important to attend appointments and I urge people not to put them off. Testing really can save lives.”
For more information about cervical cancer and the campaign, visit JosTrust.org.uk
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