1 in 4 women in Cumbria and the South of Scotland miss cervical screening

One in four women in Cumbria and the South of Scotland missed a cervical screening appointment last year.

The new figures come from Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.

It is concerned that more women will be faced with diagnosis and loss of life if attendance doesn't increase.

The age group least likely to attend a screening is revealed to be 25 to 29-year-olds.

At the same time as tests were being missed, deaths from cervical cancer in Scotland rose by almost a third.

Missing the chance to get tested for cervical cancer reduces the chance of an earlier diagnosis.

One woman from Dumfries says she owes her life to a smear test, and is urging others to attend.

Christine Potts had abnormal cells detected on her first ever smear test, and she says that five minute test saved her life:

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust said:

How to book your cervical screening

You are able to book your cervical screening appointment with the GP surgery that you are registered with, as you will receive you invitation letter from them.

If you don’t want to have the test done at your GP surgery, in some areas of the UK you can go to a sexual health clinic instead.

All women who are registered with a GP are invited for cervical screening:

• aged 25 to 49 – every three years

• aged 50 to 64 – every five years

• over 65 – only women who haven't been screened since age 50 or those who have recently had abnormal tests