I lost my mum to cervical cancer in 2023, and it was incredibly hard to watch. She served in the Royal Signals with pride and dedication, yet her life was cut short by a disease that is often preventable through early detection. Her loss is a tragedy that no family should have to endure, especially when there are measures we can take to catch cervical cancer early.

Cervical screenings, also known as Pap smears, are a crucial part of women's health care. Yet, they remain optional and are not as frequent as they should be to maximize their effectiveness. The current guidelines recommend screenings every three to five years, but this is simply not enough time to catch rapid developments of the disease.

Annual cervical screenings can make a significant difference in detecting early signs of cancer. When cervical cancer is found early, it is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. According to the World Health Organization, early stage detection and treatment has a practically 100% survival rate.

By making cervical screenings an annual routine check-up, we can save countless lives and spare families the heartache of losing loved ones unnecessarily. The emotional and financial burdens that come with advanced-stage treatments can be mitigated with this proactive approach.

Join me in urging health authorities to make cervical screenings an annual practice. This change could dramatically increase the early detection rates and save lives. Please sign this petition to help prevent more tragedies like the one that took my mum away from us.