Campaign rolled out in Brent urging more women to have cervical smear tests

Borough saw an increase following the death of Jade Goody but figures have since decreased

Health chiefs have rolled out a campaign highlighting the importance of regular cervical smear tests.

The NHS Brent crusade targeting women aged 25 – 29 has been launched after figures show there are low numbers attending cervical screenings.

Figures show that screening saves around 4,500 lives in England every year and all women aged 25-64 should have regular cervical smear tests.

In 2009, there was a sharp rise in women having smear tests after television personality Jade Goody died from cervical cancer at the age of just 27.

But since then have fallen to a concerning level.

More than 7000 women in Brent, who have not had a smear test in the last three-and-a-half years, will be sent a leaflet in the post urging them to book a screening appointment with their GP or local clinic.

Imran Choudhury, deputy director of the public health department at NHS Brent, said: “I’m extremely delighted with this initiative for the promotion of cervical screening and we are particularly keen to see more young women take up the opportunity to have regular smear tests.”

To book your cervical smear contact your GP or local Brent contraceptive services clinic listed on the leaflet.

For more information visit www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical .