Women in West Dunbartonshire are being urged to attend life saving cervical cancer tests, with the number of people attending routine screening appointments locally some of the lowest in Scotland.
According to the latest figures for the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board, which covers West Dunbartonshire, cervical screening attendance is at the lowest level in the country for 25 to 49-year-olds.
Of this age group, less than two thirds (61.4 percent) attended for their smear test, as of March 31 last year, according to Public Health Scotland.
In the 50 to 64 age group, this increased to 73.2 percent, which still sits below the national average of 74.4 percent. The statistics also show that in all age groups, people are less likely to attend for their cervical screening appointment if they stay in a deprived area.
Jackie Baillie MSP said: “This simple and quick test can save your life.
“With the screening programme previously paused due to the pressures on our health service because of Covid, it is more important than ever that people attend their appointments.
“It is disappointing that the figures locally are below the average, however we can all play a part in addressing that by answering the call to attend for our smear tests.
“I support efforts to make people aware of the importance of cervical screening and to provide more information on the procedure and support to anyone whose result is not what they would have anticipated.”
Samantha Dixon, chief executive, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust added: “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 for women to take.”
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "Across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde we continue to urge anyone who is due a cervical screening to come forward.
"This is by far the most effective way to catch cervical cancer before it starts and is crucial in helping us treat it as quickly as possible. As part of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week this year we issued a renewed plea for patients not to delay in booking their test and more widely throughout the year we campaign across channels to highlight the importance of the test.
“It’s understandable to feel anxious about the smear test itself but this is the best way of preventing cervical cancer, so please don’t put it off.”
