The NHS in St Helens is urging women to book cervical screening appointments as the uptake in England hits a 20-year low.

This week is cervical screening awareness week (June 14 to June 20) and to mark the date the NHS and Public Health are reminding patients of the importance of booking an appointment for cervical screening when invited, as GP practices continue to carry out the test.

Women who are registered with a GP and aged between 25 and 49 are asked to have a cervical screen every three years, with women aged between 50 and 64 asked to have one every five years.

Across England, cervical screening uptake is at its lowest since the start of the 21st century with numbers for younger women aged between 25 and 29, and older women aged between 60 and 64, being particularly low.

Around one in four women do not attend their cervical screening appointment when invited by their GP.

Cervical cancer affects around 3,000 women in the UK every year, making it the most common form of cancer for women under the age of 35.

According to research carried out by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, around 75 per cent of these cases can be prevented by having a test.

Screening is the best way to test for human papillomavirus (HPV) and if the test comes back positive for HPV, the sample can be tested for abnormal cells, which can develop into cervical cancer if they are left untreated.

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Debbie Larty, a practice nurse who works at Rainbow Medical Centre in Thatto Heath, said: “A cervical screen or smear test takes just a few minutes and most come back as normal with a view to repeating in three to five years.

“Myself and other practice nurses, who carry out the checks, make sure it’s as quick and painless as possible and we are there to put you at ease, explain what’s happening and answer any questions you may have about the test and possible results.

“Cervical screening saves lives so please don’t ignore your screening invitation or let worries about it put you off.”

Cervical cancer is often symptom less but there can be signs that something is wrong.

Some women have abnormal bleeding during or after sexual intercourse or between periods and others have post menopausal bleeding.

There can sometimes be an unusual or unpleasant vaginal discharge, lower back pain and discomfort or pain during sex.

Across the UK, cervical screening is moving to testing for HPV first which is estimated will prevent around 500 diagnoses of cervical cancer every year.

Around four in five people will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives while 90 per cent of HPV infections clear up naturally within two years, cervical screening can find a high risk HPV virus and other changes before it develops into cancer.

Ruth DuPlessis, director of Public Health for St Helens Borough Council, added: “Although we have a better uptake than the Merseyside and England average, there is still a large number of women in St Helens who don’t attend for their cervical screening test.

“We know that many women feel uncomfortable about the test but being screened regularly means any problems can be found early and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing.

“I would encourage all women who are eligible to take up their cervical screening test invitation and for those who have missed it, to contact their GP to arrange an appointment.

“Booking an appointment could literally be a life saver.”

For more information contact your GP or practice nurse or visit Jo’s Trust at jostrust.co.uk