A quarter of North East women put off cancer screening tests
A recent study found 1 in 4 women are at risk of having undetected cervical cancer.
“Cervical screening saves lives” that’s the message from NHS England this week.
It's after a recent study found that almost a quarter of 25-64-year-old women in the North East are putting off smear test appointments despite being overdue a check up.
Pam Lee is a North East consultant; she's urging women to get tested as part of this year's cervical cancer screening awareness week:
“The earlier we can catch cancer, the earlier we can treat people, the better chance we have of not only making their life longer but also improving the quality of their life”.
Well one woman who knows all too well the importance of screening is North East mum Jane McClelland from Washington.
Jane was diagnosed with cervical cancer back in 2011 at just 33-years old. Speaking to Metro Radio she said she is alive today because of getting tested:
“Until it happens to you, you just think, it will never happen to me. And that was how I felt until it did happen to me so it was a good job I didn’t put off that cervical screening appointment because if I had, it would have jeopardised my life”
If you have been affected by cervical cancer and would like support here in the North East visit the Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust website or call the helpline on 08088028000.