Jade Goody effect boosts cervical screening

Jade Goody's fight against cervical cancer is thought to be behind a jump in cervical screening rates, experts believe.

A report out today by the NHS Information Centre showed the number of women screened for cervical cancer last year rose by 12%, from 3.2 to 3.6 million, the first increase in screening since 2002.

The rise in screening was more prominent in the younger age groups, the report said.

Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre, said: “The report shows that just under 400,000 more eligible women underwent cervical screening last year than in the previous year.

“This is a welcome boost in numbers which follows media personality Jade Goody's highly publicised battle with the disease.

“It means more women are now up-to-date with their cervical screening test than last year, the first rise since 2002.

“Pleasingly, our report also shows that women are getting their test results quicker than they did previously.”

Andy Burnham, UK Health Secretary, said: "These figures show the remarkable effect that Jade Goody's tragic case has had in reversing a downward trend in the number of young women attending cervical cancer screening.

"Jade's bravery and openess in her fight against cervical cancer has brought home to young women across the country the importance of regularly going for these checks."

This article was published on Thu 22 October 2009