TODAY marks the beginning of cervical cancer awareness week around the country.

The Glasgow Times has pledged to raise awareness of the disease – which is the most common form of cancer in Scotland for women under 35 – and its symptoms as part of its campaign to increase screening test uptake.

Don’t Fear the Smear is calling on women throughout the city to go along to the vital, and potentially lifesaving, appointment when called by the NHS.

Working in partnership with the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), we have also called on both the health board and Scottish Government to tackle lengthy wait times for both initial smear results and follow-up colposcopy appointments – which currently stand at eight and 52 weeks respectively.

This week, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has launched a range of events to help women and people with cervixes feel comfortable attending the test.

As previously reported by the Glasgow Times, our city’s uptake for smear tests is staggeringly low uptake with just 64.4% of those eligible for the exam turning up.

Currently, the greater Glasgow area has the lowest turnout of women under 49 in Scotland.

The charity is calling for action, with clear targets and timelines, alongside speed in innovations such as HPV self-sampling, which could be a step-change in efforts to end cervical cancer.

In its latest report, the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity found that only 17% of health professionals working across cervical cancer prevention think enough is currently being done to eliminate cervical cancer in the UK. Only 20% think enough is being done to ensure high levels of HPV vaccine uptake, and just 16% believe that enough is being done to support cervical screening uptake.

HPV vaccination and cervical screening can prevent, and one day will help eliminate cervical cancer.

It comes as the Scottish Government announced a new cancer strategy diseased to lower the number of people diagnosed with the disease at a late stage.

As part of the pledge, it also committed to eliminating cervical cancer which, with a combination of the HPV vaccine and early intervention allowing cells to be caught before they transform into cancer, the charity says is possible.

Samantha Dixon, chief executive at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said: “A world without cervical cancer doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. The UK has the tools to make it a reality which is incredibly exciting. We need Government action to get there as soon as possible, but everyone can play their part. Going for cervical screening when invited, and making sure your child is vaccinated against HPV, will help make cervical cancer a thing of the past.

“We must also continue to invest in research, improve access to treatments, and banish the stigma and blame that too often comes with a cervical cancer diagnosis. Being forward-looking should not mean those living with and beyond cancer get left behind.”

For information on what events you can take part in, visit here.