Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, wants to know what can be done to increase the number of young women attending potentially life saving screening in Orkney.

Mrs Grant is concerned at latest figures which show that the uptake rate for cervical cancer smears for young women on the islands has fallen by 22% over the last ten years.

She has contacted NHS Orkney for its view on the issue and on what measures can be taken to increase attendance.

"The figures indicate that the percentage of women in the 20-24 age group attending for cervical screening within five and a half years of their last smear has fallen from 79.9% in 1997/98 to 57.5% in 2007/08," said Mrs Grant.

"This is very worrying, cervical screening is absolutely vital in the early detection of any abnormalities and the programme has been very successful in reducing the number of deaths from cervical cancer.

"NHS Orkney has indicated that the decrease in figures across many boards in Scotland is partly as a result of a change in the way the figures are collected.

"The figures are based on the number of invitations issued to women and there are concerns that this means the programme is dependent on the details of patients being accurate.

"None of us can be complacent about the dangers of cervical cancer

"The HPV immunisation programme introduced earlier this year for girls in the 12-13 age group can help protect them from some forms of cervical cancer, but it is not the remedy.

"For young women screening will continue to be their best safeguard."