Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Mum's fight for roll-out of home testing smear kits in Scotland

Emma Keyes was diagnosed with the disease last year and underwent three biopsies, a colposcopy and a gruelling hysterectomy before she was given the all-clear.

Since then, the 30-year-old has been campaigning strenuously for home-testing smear kits to be rolled out in Scotland, which she says could be “life-changing” for women’s health.

READ MORE: Mum fights for home testing smear kits in Scotland after shock cervical cancer diagnosis

She said: “From my own experience, I want to tell women to make sure to go to that appointment and not to put it off or put it to the bottom of your list – it needs to be a priority. The earlier it is caught, the better.

“We are all so busy but you don’t want to leave it before it gets too late or before you need surgery – it is completely preventable and doesn’t take long at all”.

Emma, from Uddingston, makes her plea in light of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

While she has urged women to attend smear test appointments, she argues that the current screening programme in Scotland is letting women down.

In March 2020, the routine screening interval for women and anyone with a cervix aged between 25 to 49 changed from every three years to every five years. This change happened at the same time as human papillomavirus (HPV) testing was introduced.

READ MORE: Women in Glasgow urged not to ignore smear test appointment invitation

Emma said: “Women don’t feel safe about the programme they are being moved onto. I have been gathering case studies from different women and hearing about their own experiences.

“The idea to move from a scheme that was already falling short to make it even longer before women can receive a smear test is dangerous – it isn’t safe.

“Women’s health should be moving forward, but we are taking a step back with this one.

“It’s a really scary thing to go through and it is completely preventable. There are still people who are being diagnosed with cervical cancer and that is on the current three-year programme.

“Why is the scheme being extended to a point where it might not be fixable or reversible for some women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer?

“The more regular, the less likely it will become a problem if it is caught early on.”

The mum’s petition for home-testing smear kits has gathered more than 1500 signatures. She believes the provision could help to catch abnormal cells before the point of surgery or cancer therapy.

She said: “I owe my life to the scientists and doctors who caught my cancer and got rid of it, but we are still having one in 100 women being diagnosed with the disease.

“That one person might be the mother to three kids, it isn’t just one life and it isn’t a statistic.”

And, she wants the stigma around smear testing to be broken – calling on employers to offer women the day off for any appointments and follow-ups they may be required to go to.

“Women shouldn’t be ashamed of it”, she said.

“I think it is a really unspoken topic and even girls going for checks and getting that letter through the door to say they need to go for further inspection isn’t something that is spoken about in society.

“It should be normal to be open about it. Another aspect is how daunting this news can be for those who are told they have abnormal cells. We are expected to dust it off and go back to work.

“You are getting checked for pre-cancerous cells, women shouldn’t be expected to bounce back to normal. You need to take that time for yourself.

“Most people say that they feel wiped out after it – it is a lot to take in. We are essentially going in for a procedure that could be life-changing.

“Bosses should be giving women the day off and checking in on them but they’re not because it isn’t spoken about.”

MSP Monica Lennon

Her campaign for home testing smear kits has received backing from Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon, who will discuss the matter with Emma and the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health at a meeting next month.  

The Labour representative said: “We know that cervical screening can stop cervical cancer. A home testing programme across Scotland would save lives.

“Emma Keyes is an inspiring woman who is courageously drawing on her own cervical cancer diagnosis in order to get system change.

“I urge people to sign Emma’s petition and get behind her campaign for home testing smear kits. I am pleased the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health is meeting with Emma and I to discuss the campaign.

“The Scottish Government has made important commitments on improving women’s health and rolling out this scheme must be part of the plan.”

Emma added: “I’m delighted with the amount of support that the petition has received so far, but we really need the support to be translated into signatures in order for it to move forward.

“I’m so grateful for the signatures we have so far – this could be life-changing for women’s health."

The Scottish Governmetn said it is working to roll-out the provision once a recommendation is made by advisors.

Currently, home-testing for cervical cancer is not advised by the National Screening Committee.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Receiving a cancer diagnosis is extremely upsetting and our thoughts are with Ms Keyes and her family as she makes her recovery.

“We take advice from the UK National Screening Committee on national screening programmes. They do not currently recommend self-sampling for cervical cancer but we are actively playing our part in evaluating the benefits of self-sampling, and we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that we can roll it out as soon as possible once a recommendation is made.

"Patient safety is our priority and we will not act until we are assured it is safe to do so.

“Public Health Minister Maree Todd has agreed to meet Ms Keyes to discuss her campaign. 

“Anyone who has symptoms of cervical cancer should contact their GP practice immediately. Practices are still open to patients, and it’s important to seek help if you’re worried.”

Sign Emma’s petition for home testing smear kits in Scotland by visiting HERE.