Women in Rochdale borough urged to attend cervical screening

A practice nurse and patient during consultation (stock image)

Women in the borough of Rochdale are being urged to attend their cervical screening as part of cervical cancer prevention week.

The week, which runs from Monday 21 to Sunday 27 January, raises awareness of the importance of cervical screening for women aged 25 to 64.

Cervical screening prevents 75% of cervical cancers from developing yet one in four women do not attend when invited.

Women aged 25 to 49 are invited every three years and women aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years. Anyone registered with a GP should get an automatic invitation, but anyone can call their GP to check they’re up to date.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The number of women attending their screening is lower than ever which is a real concern.

“To every woman invited for a cervical smear, please attend as soon as you are invited. Prevention is better than cure and a cervical smear could save your life.”

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35, and every year around 3,000 women are diagnosed.

Dr Chris Duffy, Chair NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group and local GP, said: “It is extremely important for women to go for regular cervical screening tests. The test is to pick up potential problems before they become serious.

“Early detection and treatment of abnormalities can prevent cervical cancer developing and so potentially save lives. Please make the time to go and have your smear – the life saved could be yours.”

To arrange a cervical smear, you can make an appointment to see a practice nurse or a GP, or you can make an appointment at a sexual health clinic by calling 0300 3038565.

Throughout the week, the charity Jo’s Trust are encouraging women to join in with the #SmearForSmear campaign by posting a picture on social media of lipstick smeared across their face to encourage friends and family to attend smear tests.

You can visit www.jostrust.org.uk for more information about cervical screening.