P-06-1397 Introduce an at-home smear test option in Wales

Petitions4

This petition was submitted by Molly Fenton and Jessica Moultrie, having collected a total of 1,543 signatures.

Text of Petition:                    

Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer in women under the age of 35. According to Cancer Research UK, 99.8% of cases in the UK are preventable. Smear tests can save lives by detecting any pre-cancerous changes early when treatment is more effective.
Currently there are barriers preventing women and those assigned female at birth from accessing this service. England have trialled at-home smear tests, and we believe the option in Wales can help break down these barriers and save lives.

Additional Information:

There are reasons why women don’t attend their cervical screening tests. Including but not limited to:-
Embarrassment
Lack of education
Not identifying as a woman
Low perceptions of risk
Mistrust in health services
Cultural barriers
Concern over the procedure
Body image issues
Trauma - sexual assault, rape
Inconvenient appointment times

This was trialled in London in 2021. Dr Anita Lim, from King's College London, who lead the YouScreen trial, said:
"It is crucial that we find ways like this to make screening easier and protect women from what is a largely preventable cancer. Self-sampling is a game-changer. This simple and convenient swab means it can be done in the privacy and comfort of your own home."

Welsh women's rights Activist, Molly Fenton, says "Ideally we need a lot to change: better education, stigma breaking conversations and reassurance around the procedure, but in the short term this could save a lot of young lives. Especially 25 year olds taking that first test.”

Status 

This petition was considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 22/04/2024. 

Full details of the consideration of this petition by the Committee and related documents can be seen on the Meetings tab above. 

It was first considered by the Petitions Committee on 22/04/2024

Senedd Constituency and Region

• Cardiff North
• South Wales Central

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