A local councillor and scientist has contributed to research paving the way for new cervical cancer screening methods.
Councillor Dr William Rooney supported a University of Glasgow study published in the Journal of Medical Virology in December.
The study explored the use of self-collected vaginal swabs to detect high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV).
Currently, women must be swabbed at a health centre, but home testing could remove this barrier to diagnosis.
The paper, Viability of Self-Taken Vaginal Swab Samples for RNA-Based Biomarker Analysis in Cervical Disease, was supported by the Chief Scientist Office, Scotland, and the MRC–University of Glasgow quinquennial core grant.
Councillor Rooney said: “I'm delighted to see research I contributed to published in the respected Journal of Medical Virology.”
Led by Professor Sheila Graham and Dr Kate Cuschieri, the study used samples from biobanks in Edinburgh and Stockholm.
Dr Harry Scott carried out the research with support from Councillor Rooney and other colleagues.
The findings showed that self-taken samples in Scotland contained enough genetic material to begin developing such a test.
The national HPV vaccination programme began in 2008 and was expanded to include boys in 2019.
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A Public Health Scotland study has confirmed the vaccine’s effectiveness, finding zero cases of cervical cancer in vaccinated women.
Public Health Scotland also reports that West Dunbartonshire’s HPV vaccination rates for 2024/25 are above the national average.
Councillor Rooney said: “High HPV vaccine uptake in West Dunbartonshire schools is hugely positive, and no vaccinated woman has developed cervical cancer.
“However, many women remain unvaccinated so developing reliable diagnostic tests remains vital to protect those at higher risk.”
Further information about the HPV vaccine can be found on the NHS website or by speaking to a GP or health professional.
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