Smear test appeal
An NHS Lanarkshire consultant is encouraging women who missed their last smear test to contact their GP practice, as it could save their life.
The move comes as the second phase of a national campaign begins, encouraging women to attend their cervical screening appointment.
The ‘Flower’ campaign, running on social media throughout October, throws a spotlight on the importance of screening for cervical cancer, commonly known as a smear test.
NHS Lanarkshire public health consultant Dr Jennifer Darnborough is worried that not enough women are going for the potentially life-saving smear test.
She said: “Cervical screening works really well and by picking up changes before symptoms develop and treating them.
“Smear testing prevents around eight out of 10 cervical cancers from developing in the first place. It is thought to save around 5000 lives a year in the UK.
“Cervical cancer most commonly affects women in their 30s and 40s, but it can affect women of any age, so older women should still take part when invited.
“Women aged between 25 and 64 receive a cervical screening invite every three to five years. But less than 80 per cent of them have taken up the offer in Lanarkshire in the past five years.
“If more women are screened, we can prevent more cases of cervical cancer and reduce deaths.
“The test only takes a few minutes and will be carried out by an experienced female smear taker, who does this testing all the time.”
For further information on smear tests and cervical cancer, go online to getcheckedearly.org/ cervical-cancer.