With the number of women receiving regular smear tests reaching the lowest in 20 years- has the Jade Goody effect simply worn off?

When reality star, Jade Goody, died from cervical cancer in 2009- over 500,000 more women turned up for the vital cervical cancer screenings. However, nine years on from the star’s death- the average number of women attending smear tests has fallen to 72%.

In fact, Manchester, at 63.9%, has one of the lowest turn outs for cervical cancer screenings in the country.

Many healthcare professionals have stated that they believe the impact from Jade Goody’s death has long since worn off and that more needs to be done to boost the attendance of smear tests.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust have set up the #smearforsmear campaign to combat this falling statistic and encourage women to attend their smear tests.

Women across the UK have been taking part in the campaign by sharing selfies sporting smeared lipstick on social media to show the importance of cervical cancer testing.

Celebrities including former I’m a Celebrity contestant, Rebekah Vardy, actress, Gaynor Faye and YouTuber, Hannah Witton have posted their selfies in support of the campaign.

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According to the charity, alarmingly, one in three 25-29-year-olds do not attend smear test screenings upon invitation.

It is thought that many of the women who don’t respond to their smear test invitations, avoid the test due to embarrassment of their bodies.

However, the charity insist that smear tests save lives and that attending these screenings prevents 75% of cervical cancers from developing.

It’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2018.
Cervical screening has helped to reduce the number of cervical cancer cases significantly. This video explains what to expect. #SmearForSmear pic.twitter.com/fcrpvkrW0q

— NHS Choices (@NHSChoices) January 22, 2018

Smear tests are carried out under the NHS and used to detect abnormalities in the cells of the cervix, however are not used to detect the cancer itself.

Every woman over the age of 25 is invited by their GP, to attend a cervical screening every three years until the age of 49. Between the ages of 50 and 64, women are invited for a smear test every five years.

The #smearforsmear campaign is running from Monday 22nd- Sunday 28th January 2018 throughout Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. 

For more information on how to get involved in the campaign, visit Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.