CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION WEEK 2016

That this House notes that 24 to 30 January 2016 is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, which is aimed at raising awareness of the causes and symptoms of cervical cancer and the importance of cervical screening; further notes that cervical cancer screening has continued to see a decline in uptake rates; notes that over one in three 25 to 29 year olds do not attend their screening and only 73.5 per cent of women across all eligible age groups attended their screening last year, down from 74.2 per cent the previous year, meaning almost 1.2 million women are at increased risk of developing cervical cancer; notes that many of those who do not attend their screenings are from disadvantaged areas; notes the role of cervical screening in eradicating cervical cancer, as it can detect abnormal cells on the cervix before they develop into cancer; hopes that steps will be taken to ensure that more women attend screenings; welcomes the #SmearForSmear campaign led by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust to encourage women to attend screenings; and asks hon. Members, clinicians and policymakers to support the week and join the fight to eradicate cervical cancer.