A WEST Dunbartonshire Councillor has joined forces with an MSP to help raise awareness over cervical cancer.

Councillor Michelle McGinty this week spoke about her own personal battle as she was treated for- and overcame- the same disease.

And she is now urging women in West Dunbartonshire to make sure they attend a cervical cancer screening test- because it could save their lives.

Cllr Michelle McGinty, who was recently given the all-clear from cervical cancer, said: "After dodging my smear test for the last 21 years, last year I was faced with the reality of what that could have cost me.

"I was diagnosed with cervical cancer and had to have a radical hysterectomy.

"It all happened so fast that if I had left that test even six months longer instead of visiting me in hospital my husband and children could have been visiting my grave.

"The reality is that five minutes of discomfort really does save lives.

"I would urge every woman who is able to make sure that is the one appointment they don't miss because by the time you get the symptoms it might be too late."

Local MSP Jackie Baillie is also showed her support by highlighting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’s call for action to increase cervical screening uptake rates.

Cervical screening uptake is now at a 10-year low in Scotland, and more women each year are being diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Commenting during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, Jackie said: "I am very concerned more than a quarter of eligible women in Scotland did not attend cervical screening last year.

"Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35 and is on the rise in women over 50.

"However, screening can detect cervical abnormalities and women can receive treatment before cancer develops.

"We need a step change in awareness about the importance of cervical screening and I am proud to support Cervical Cancer Prevention Week."

Robert Music, Chief Executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: "We have one of the best cervical screening programmes in the world which saves approximately 5,000 lives a year across the UK.

"However, the number of women attending their screening is at a 10 year low in Scotland.

"If we do not increase investment in prevention we will be faced with more women facing the physical and psychological cost of cervical cancer, increased burden on the NHS and state, and more lives lost."

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week ran from January 22 to January 28 and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust launched their enormously successful cervical screening awareness campaign #SmearForSmear on Sunday, January 22.