I'm pleased to be speaking in this hugely important debate today. We've heard about the number of diseases that are unique to women and also a whole host of other diseases that disproportionately impact women's health and well-being. One of the key focuses of the Welsh Government's 'A Healthier Wales: our Plan for Health and Social Care' is preventative healthcare, and a number of the diseases that impact women's health are largely preventable or have much better outcomes if they're diagnosed at an early stage. 

Cardiovascular disease is an example. Despite cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in women, there is often an assumption by some health professionals and the general public that women are at a lower risk of this disease. Whilst this is true to some extent, this difference diminishes with age, particularly over the age of 50, and potentially even earlier in women who experience early menopause. So, here again, the menopause is significant in women's health. That is backed up, of course, by research, and it shows that, when it comes to cardiovascular disease, women are more likely to be diagnosed more slowly or completely misdiagnosed when compared to men. This, of course, can have devastating impacts on the individual's mortality and morbidity. Some of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease are preventable, including lifestyle choices, diet, high blood pressure and cholesterol. With that in mind, I believe that health screening can also play an important role in preventing disease in the first place. As I understand it, we were all supposed to, in Wales, receive an annual screening at the age of 50—everybody. And I somehow think that that hasn't happened, first of all because of COVID, but hasn't actually happened after COVID because of the pressures that has brought to bear. That clearly is part of a preventative course of action, and I just hope that we can get that back on track. 

Education, of course, is a major factor in helping to prevent disease and diagnose it at an earlier age. How many women, for example, are aware of cardiovascular disease being the biggest threat to their health? I chose this deliberately because I almost anticipated what everybody else would speak about. It's interesting, isn't it, that it isn't one of the things that has been spoken about. I wasn't aware of this until I started looking for those things that people weren't talking about affecting most women. So, I think those messages need to get out. Of course, there are a number of other relevant illnesses, and ovarian cancer is one of those. That has a number of non-specific symptoms, like abdominal bloating, feeling full after eating, changes in urination and bowel habits, extreme fatigue and tiredness, amongst others. But, many of the symptoms are similar to less serious health conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome, and they go unnoticed. So, education is absolutely vital, because we know that ovarian cancer is called the silent killer. And my question is this: why is it called the silent killer? Is it because people don't know about it and don't recognise it, or is it because people aren't talking about it? So, I think we need a real focus on that.

I'm really pleased, Minister, that you did announce that you're bringing forward a women's health plan, and I really do welcome that move. I hope that you're able to tell us your indication as to when we might be able to debate that in the Senedd. I'm really pleased that we do have a Minister who has committed herself to women's health, to bringing forward what I believe will be the first women's health plan, and I've sat here a few times—others have been here since 1999. So, it's a huge step forward, and I can see by today—and I do welcome this debate being brought forward today—that you have huge support in delivering it.