Brother calls for cervical cancer screening review after death of 25-year-old sister

Amber Rose Cliff with brother Josh on Christmas Day. She died on January 8 Credit: Family photo

The family of a young woman who died after being diagnosed with cervical cancer are calling for a change on screening laws.

Amber Rose Cliff died on Sunday aged 25 after fighting the disease for four years.

Her family say she started exhibiting symptoms as an 18-year-old and went to her GP on several occasions, asking for a smear test.

Smear tests are only given to women aged 25 and over and the family say Amber was refused.

Eventually Amber and her family decided to get a test done privately, where the cancer was discovered.

Her brother Josh, 27, has now started a petition calling for young women to be tested.

Public Health England say the age is set at 25 as screening women under that may do more harm than good as it can lead to unnecessary and harmful investigations and treatments.

But Josh wants the age limit lowered.

Amber Rose Cliff who died from cervical cancer Credit: Family photo

Amber, who worked as a housing officer, had chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle.

The cancer spread to her lungs and throat, and she died on Sunday.

After Amber's death, Josh and his family started a petition calling for women between 18-25 to be given the option of having a smear test if they have visited their GP twice with similar gynaecological complaints.

So far it has been signed by almost 113,000 people.

Amber Rose Cliff with brother Josh as youngsters Credit: Family photo

Josh added: "I know that people have tried countless times to get the smear test age legally lowered to 18, but Amber's Law is different.

"Amber's Law applies to women under the age of 25. It gives them the option to have a screening if they request it, but it doesn't make testing obligatory.

"We need 100,000 signatures before we can take the petition to Parliament - and then hopefully we can be heard and make a change."

A spokesperson for Public Health England in the North East said: "The routine cervical screening programme is for women who, at the time of taking the test, are not known to have any cervical cancer related symptoms.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment on specific cases of cervical cancer where the full medical history is not known however our thoughts are with Amber’s family and friends at this very sad time."

Dr Claire Bradford, Medical Director for NHS Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group added: "We are very sorry to hear about the loss of Amber and our thoughts are with her family and friends.

"Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on an individual case, but we would always advise patients to speak to their GP if they are experiencing any of symptoms which they are concerned about."

  • To sign the petition for 'Amber's Law', click here: