AN MSP is encouraging more people to attend their smear test in order to help prevent cervical cancer.

Labour’s Jackie Baillie recently teamed up with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to highlight the importance of screening to pick up cervical cell changes.

According to the charity around 220,000 women are diagnosed with cell changes every year in the UK and treatment, given to prevent development of cervical cancer, is highly effective with around a 90 per cent success rate.

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Ms Baillie told the Post: “A five-minute test can prevent cervical cancer. 220,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with cell changes from their smear test every year which can be a confusing and distressing diagnosis.

“Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust have published a useful ‘jargon buster’ to explain what all the terms mean and are calling for more support for those affected.”

A new report by Jo’s Trust called “Not so simple - the impact of cervical cell changes and treatment” looks at the experiences of women diagnosed with cell changes.

Rebecca Shoosmith from the charity said:“While treatment for cell changes remains highly effective, we must start to see it as more than just a simple procedure.”