By Peter Lloyd for MailOnline
Published: 00:01 GMT, 5 March 2019 | Updated: 01:07 GMT, 5 March 2019
View
comments
Women will be urged to book the five-minute test which could save their life as part of a major awareness drive for cervical cancer.
The NHS is launching its first national cervical cancer campaign today amid the worst screening levels in 20 years.
Almost a third of women aged 25 to 49 have missed their latest smear test and in some surgeries three quarters have not had it.
Experts say have attributed the fall to fear and embarrassment as well as a lack of convenient GP appointments.
Support: The campaign, which will run for six weeks, is being overseen by Public Health England and endorsed by Christine Lampard (pictured) presenter of ITV’s Loose Women
The campaign centres on a 30-second TV advert with a stark warning that the illness is claiming the lives of two women every day.
It explains how the procedure can prevent the cancer from developing by flagging up harmful cells which can then be removed.
The campaign, which will run for six weeks, is being overseen by Public Health England and endorsed by Christine Lampard, presenter of ITV’s Loose Women.
Professor Anne Mackie, director of screening programmes at Public Health England said: ‘The decline in numbers getting screened for cervical cancer is a major concern as it means millions of women are missing out on a potentially life-saving test.
‘Two women die every day in England from cervical cancer, yet it is one of the most preventable cancers if caught early.
She added: ‘We want to see a future generation free of cervical cancer but we will only achieve our vision if women take up their screening invitations. This is a simple test which takes just five minutes and could save your life. It’s just not worth ignoring.’
Message: The campaign centres on a 30-second TV advert with a stark warning that the illness is claiming the lives of two women every day
Did you know? Figures published by NHS Digital in November showed that just 71 per cent of women had attended their latest screening, the lowest rate since 1997
Screening uptake: Rates spiked ten years ago following the death of reality TV star Jade Goody, on 22 March 2009. She had missed numerous appointments despite warnings.
A smear test detects abnormal cells on the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus from the vagina.
Removing these cells can prevent cervical cancer.
Most test results come back clear, however, one in 20 women show abnormal changes to the cells of their cervix.
Being screened regularly means any abnormal changes
