FIGURES SHOW YOUNGER WOMEN FAILING TO ATTEND SMEAR TESTS - GIDLEY

12.00.00am GMT Mon 3rd Mar 2008

New figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that four in ten women under the age of 35 in England are not attending routine smear tests.

The official statistics from a Parliamentary Answer show that only 63.9% of women aged 25-34 are having their smear tests every three and a half years as recommended.

According to figures from Cancer Research UK, this could equate to some 120 women contracting cervical cancer without knowing it each year.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Sandra Gidley said:

"These figures make for worrying reading. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable kinds of cancer and each woman has a role to play in ensuring that she keeps herself healthy and out of danger in this regard.

"A lot of the problem lies in confusion or ignorance of the disease. More needs to be done to educate young women to the dangers of cervical cancer, and to explain that it can often be treated by diagnosing it early."

The figures also show massive regional differences in the numbers of women receiving regular smear tests. For instance, Brent and Barnet PCTs have screened just over half of those concerned, whereas Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT have screened 72.4% of local women under 35.

"Many Primary Care Trusts need to learn from their counterparts elsewhere" added Mrs Gidley. "There needs to be greater sharing of best practice so that those trusts with lower numbers of screenings can learn how to encourage more women to have a smear test.

"It is essential that women across the UK keep their appointments for smear tests. They could literally save your life."

ENDS