By David Bol

Political Correspondent

WOMEN undergoing smear tests in Scotland will for the first time also be checked for a virus which is the main cause of cervical cancer.

The Scottish Government has announced that from tomorrow, those undergoing cervical screening will also be tested for the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Those participating in a screening will now receive a more sensitive test, which will look out for HPV and ensure cell changes are identified and treated earlier on than previously.

Health bosses say the new test is more effective at identifying those at risk of developing cervical cancer – meaning woman who do not test positive for HPV will be told to undergo a cervical screening every five years instead of the current three years.

But those who have been vaccinated against HPV will still need to have a smear test.

Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer in 25 to 35-year-old women in Scotland – with around six women diagnosed every week.

Scotland’s chief medical officer, Catherine Calderwood, said: “Introducing HPV testing as part of the main smear test will improve health outcomes for women and ultimately save more lives.

“The way the test is carried out will not change – so it’s important women still attend their cervical screening appointment when invited. It is normal to feel anxious but going for your test is the best way of preventing cervical cancer.”

She added: “It is important that those who have been vaccinated for HPV still go for screening.

“This is because the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cancer. It’s the combination of the HPV vaccination and cervical screening that should eventually wipe out cervical cancer in Scotland.

“Women who are found to have HPV will be closely monitored and treated if required, meaning HPV is extremely unlikely to develop into cervical cancer.”

Smear tests save around 5000 lives ever year across the UK while experts say that the process prevents eight out of 10 cervical cancers from developing.

Figures released last year found that more than one in four women in Scotland who are eligible to undergo a smear test, have not gone ahead with it. The research also found that the poorest uptake of screening was by young women and those from the most deprived areas of the country. Only two-thirds of women from the most deprived areas of Scotland undergo a smear test.

In 2018/19, more than 400,000 cervical screening tests took place in Scotland – with an uptake level of 73.1%.

In 2018/19, 92% of smear tests carried out were negative – while 0.9% of women were identified as having a high risk of developing cervical cancer.

Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “We are fortunate to have cervical screening as it can stop cervical cancer before it starts and testing for HPV means we can identify those at risk much faster.

“This will help to prevent event more diagnoses.”

He added: “It’s important that women understand the changes to the programme, such as moving to testing every five years, and that they feel comfortable with their results.

“Many more women will now be told they have the virus and we must tackle the fear and confusion that exists around this really common virus.”

HPV, which is spread through sexual contact, is very common with four out of five people in Scotland having it at some point in their lives.

The virus can lie dormant for a long period of time, meaning it is possible for someone to contract HPV from a previous partner and then transmit it to another partner.