Young women urged to have a smear test as figures reveal 25 per cent not attending in North Lincolnshire

Every year in the UK, over 3,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under. This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (24th – 30th January 2016) North Lincolnshire CCG and North Lincolnshire Council are urging all young women to attend their cervical smear test when invited – it could save lives.

The research from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) also shows that the number of women of all eligible ages having a smear test in North Lincolnshire is decreasing year-on-year. In 2014 78.2 per cent attended and in 2015 only 77.2 per cent of women attended.

Councillor Rob Waltham, cabinet member for Health, Strategic Projects and Regeneration, said: “These figures are quite shocking; we want to raise awareness of the importance of cervical screening. We completely understand that it can be daunting for women, but it is something that we highly recommend them to do. It will only take a short amount of your time and could identify abnormalities in your cervix that you would never have known about. It gives women that peace of mind and could protect you against anything serious developing. If you haven’t had your smear test, please don’t put it off any longer – get in touch with you GP as soon as possible.”

Dr Phil Kirby (pictured), Screening and Immunisation Lead, NHS England - North (Yorkshire and the Humber) said: “We understand that going for a cervical smear test can be daunting but a cervical screening test takes five minutes, is painless, and if you attend each time you’re invited it provides a high degree of protection against developing cervical cancer.

“It’s actually estimated that early detection and treatment through cervical screening can prevent up to 75% of cervical cancers from developing in the UK. Therefore we want to urge all women who are eligible to attend their smear when they are invited, or book one if they’ve missed their last smear test by calling their GP, and ensure they stay healthy.”

Cervical screening isn’t a test for cancer; it’s a test to check the health of the cells of the cervix (the entrance to the womb). Most women’s test results show that everything is normal, but for around 1 in 20 women the test shows some abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix.

The symptoms of cervical cancer aren’t always obvious, and it may not cause any symptoms at all until it’s reached an advanced stage. This is why it’s very important that women attend all of their cervical screening appointments. In most cases, vaginal bleeding is the first noticeable symptom of cervical cancer. It usually occurs after having sex. Bleeding at any other time, other than your expected monthly period, is also considered unusual. Other symptoms of cervical cancer may include pain and discomfort during sex and an unpleasant smelling vaginal discharge.

To find out more about Cervical Cancer Prevention Week visit the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website www.jostrust.org.uk. For more information about cervical cancer and the NHS Cervical Screening Programme visit Click here