Wirral women urged to attend smear test appointments after numbers drop (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral women urged to attend smear test appointments after numbers drop

8:00am Saturday 23rd January 2010

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A WIRRAL health expert is urging more women to attend cervical smear appointments following a drop in the numbers being tested.

Sunday marks the beginning of Cervical Cancer Awareness Week - just 10 months after the death of Jade Goody, who contracted cervical cancer and passed away on Mother's Day last year aged 27.

The current number of those aged 25 to 29 attending appointments is 71 percent, with only 75% of those aged between 55 and 65 being tested. The aim is to encourage more women to come forward.

If the figure rises to 80%, it could lead to a significant reduction in death rates of around 95%.

Jan Gill, public health specialist for NHS Wirral, said: "There was something positive which came out of the Jade Goody story - the numbers of women attending for smear tests rose sharply.

"It's so important that women must have their tests when they are invited - this should be every three years for women aged 25 - 49 and every five years for women aged 50 - 64.

"The message is simple: cervical screening - known as smear testing - reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer.

"We would strongly encourage all women to have the test when they are invited by their GP practice.

"In addition for younger women, the HPV vaccination programme provides protection against the viruses which cause 75% of cervical cancers.

"In 2009, 93% of school girls in year eight were vaccinated as part of the routine programme - this will help to reduce future cases of cervical cancer cases across Wirral."

Cervical cancer is not thought to be hereditary. In 99.7% of cases, it is caused by persistent infection with a virus called Human Papillomavirus.

HPV is a very common virus transmitted through skin to skin contact in the genital area.

Up to 75% of people of reproductive age will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives.

For the majority of women, however, this will not result in cervical cancer.

Detection of early changes in the cervix by regular screening is, to date, the most effective method of preventing a cancer from developing.

However, with increased understanding of HPV and new technologies, this may change in the future.

More than four million women in the UK are invited every year to attend for a smear test. More than 90% receive a normal smear result.

However, there is a worrying trend across the UK with fewer women attending for regular screening following their invitation.

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