North East women urged to test for cervical cancer

Women in the North East are being urged to attend regular screenings to test for cervical cancer. The message is being promoted during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.

It is the most common form of cancer in women aged 35, but new figures show that fewer women in the North East are now attending their smear tests.

73.8% of women aged 25-49 have had adequate smear tests in the last 3.5 years. Health experts would like to see this figure sit at 100%.

As there are usually no symptoms, health professionals say it is vital that women keep their appointments and check they don't require treatment.

The initiative is being backed by the family of a young woman who died after being diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Amber Rose Cliff died aged 25 after fighting the disease for four years. Smear tests begin when women are aged 25 and continue every three years.

Amber's family say she started exhibiting symptoms as an 18-year-old and went to her GP on several occasions, asking for a smear test. They say she was refused. Eventually Amber and her family decided to get a test done privately, where the cancer was discovered.

Her brother Josh 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 and says it is crucial for women to go to appointments.

The latest statistics: