WOMEN across the Barrhead area are being reminded how important cervical screening tests are. In the UK, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women under 35, after breast cancer. In the run up to cervical screening awareness week from June 10-16, the Health Improvement Team within East Renfrewshire's Community Health and Care Partnership (CHCP) is encouraging all women aged 20 to 60 years of age to make sure they have a cervical screening test every three years.

Cervical screening is a method of preventing cervical cancer by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix (lower part of the womb).

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, but it is a test to check the health of the cervix.

Most women's test results show that everything is normal.

However, for one in 20 women, the test will show some changes in the cells of the cervix.

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme aims to reduce the number of women who develop cervical cancer and the number of women who die from the disease.

To help East Ren residents access health information on their doorstep, the CHCP's health improvement team has posted information about cervical cancer screening at all East Ren libraries, Barrhead Main Street council offices, Barrhead Health and Care Centre, Clarkston Clinic and Eastwood Park HQ in Giffnock.