WOMEN are being urged to attend their cervical cancer screening appointment, with screening uptake at a 20-year low among eligible women aged 25 to 64.

Cheshire East Council is are supporting a Public Health England campaign urging women to attend their appointment.

Do you know someone who is due a screening test or has recently missed their last appointment?

Whether this is your partner, wife, mum, sister, auntie, friend or a colleague, encourage them to contact their GP today.

Cervical screening, or the smear test as it used to be known, is a simple process that prevents cervical cancer and only takes five minutes – this is five minutes that could save a loved one’s life.

Screening can detect any abnormal changes on the cervix before they progress to being cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer may not show any symptoms until it is already at an advanced stage, so it’s very important to be screened when you are invited for an appointment.

Cervical screening uptake is at a 20-year low among eligible women aged between 25 and 64, and is lowest in those aged 25 to 35.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women under the age of 35.

2,600 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, and 690 women die from cervical cancer every year.

Screening can reduce the risk of developing a condition or its complications and is estimated to prevent 70 per cent of cervical cancer deaths, saving 5,000 lives per year.

Dr Matt Tyrer, consultant in public health medicine at Cheshire East Council, said: “Cervical screening is a regular check to ensure health and wellbeing. The test will find any harmful cells before they turn into cancer.

“Cervical cancer often doesn’t show any symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage. This is why screening is so important – it helps to stop cancer before it starts. Don’t ignore your letters; make sure you book your appointment with your GP.”

Women aged 25 to 49 should have a screening every three years and it is every five years for those aged 50 to 64.

An invitation letter is sent through the post when you are due for an appointment.

Keep an eye out for these letters arriving so you can get an appointment and encourage friends and family to make their appointment today if they are due to be screened.