4. 2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:45 pm on 31 January 2017.

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Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative 2:45, 31 January 2017

I call for a single statement on cervical cancer, recognising that last week was Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. It was highlighting that, although cervical cancer is largely preventable, the number of women being diagnosed in Wales is worryingly high, and the number attending cervical screening at its lowest for 10 years. More than one in five women are now delaying or not attending this potentially life-saving test. We therefore need a statement outlining what steps are being taken to increase cervical screening coverage in Wales, what discussions have taken place about plans to increase cervical screening coverage amongst women from disadvantaged backgrounds, women with learning disabilities, and black and minority ethnic women; what steps are being taken to make cervical screening more accessible in order to increase coverage; whether cervical screening is available to all women at contraception and sexual health clinics; and whether the Welsh Government plans to roll out an awareness campaign to improve the cervical screening coverage. I hope the Welsh Government will respond favourably to this request.