THE Assembly Member for Arfon has lent her backing to a campaign raising awareness of the importance of cervical smear tests to coincide with Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.

Siân Gwenllian AM joined Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to raise awareness of how women can reduce their risk of cervical cancer.

Over 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in the UK, yet it is one of the only cancers that can be prevented and one day become a disease of the past.

Cervical screening (smear tests) are the best protection against the disease, followed by the HPV vaccine offered in schools. Yet cervical screening uptake is at an all-time low with one in four women not booking a potentially life-saving test.

Ms Gwenllian said: ”I am delighted to be working with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust this Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.

“Cervical screening prevents up to 75 per cent of cervical cancers developing, so it is worrying to hear that so many women are not attending this test when invited, particularly due to embarrassment.

“Women can reduce their risk of cervical cancer in a number of ways; through attending regular cervical screening, being symptoms aware and knowing the risk factors.

“I would therefore encourage women in my Arfon constituency to get themselves tested.”

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