Rise in women seeking screening after Jade Goody's death

Published on Tuesday 25 August 2009 22:22

THE death of reality TV star Jade Goody has led to large rise in the number of Scottish women being screened for cervical cancer, figures showed yesterday.

In 2008-9 more than 450,500 cervical smears were carried out – a 20 per cent increase on the previous year.

It means that about 75,000 more tests were done last year, the highest number processed since 2001-2, reversing the year-on-year decline in uptake.

Goody's fight against cervical cancer was yesterday linked to increased awareness and uptake of screening, especially among younger women. She died in March aged just 27.

Public health minister Shona Robison said: "This is clear proof that being more open about this illness and the need for screening can and does encourage women to come forward. Openness about screening and cancer is paramount – more than anything, that is what will ultimately save lives."

Women are offered a routine cervical smear test approximately every three years.

At the end of March this year, 73.4 per cent of eligible women had been screened in the previous three years – up 4 per cent on the previous year.

The largest rise in uptake – of more than 6 per cent – was in women aged 20-24.

In England, women under 25 are not invited for screening. In Scotland, women aged 20-60 are eligible.