MS FOR North Wales, Sam Rowlands, has given his backing to a campaign aimed to highlight the importance of cervical screening.

Mr Rowlands is supporting Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2022, which takes place from January 17-23.

He said: “Screening is vitally important and I am pleased to back such a worthwhile campaign.

“It is absolutely essential we continue to raise awareness of this disease as all women, and young ones in particular, need to understand that cervical cancer can be prevented by detection of the early symptoms.

"The Welsh Government recently announced that they want to change how regularly women have cervical cancer checks, with women aged 25-50 having to wait five rather than three years for checks.

“This is a concerning decision, the consequences of which need to be properly understood.

“I am urging my constituents to support Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and help to raise awareness of this disease.”

On average, 3,197 cases of cervical cancer are discovered each year, with 854 deaths between 2016 and 2018, with only 51 per cent surviving this type of cancer for more than 10 years.

According to Cancer Research UK, 99.8 per cent of cervical cancer cases are preventable.