A COUNCIL has backed a major NHS drive aimed at protecting women against cervical cancer.

The campaign by Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) encourages women aged between 25 and 64 to attend their smear and remove barriers to access.

The CCG has launched new weekend smear clinics at Barbara Castle Way Health Centre in Blackburn to make it easier for women to attend.

They are held every Saturday and Sunday and are run by women nurses and can be booked through GP surgeries.

Some of the reasons women don’t attend can be emotional, considering themselves as low risk or not understanding what cervical screening is.

Cervical cancer, the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under, can be prevented but the best way to do this is to attend smear tests when invited.

Currently in the UK, women are eligible for a smear test from the age of 25 to 64.

Women aged 25 to 49 are invited every three years and women aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years.

And the campaign has been supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Cllr Brian Taylor, assistant executive member for health and adult social care, said: “We are delighted to help get the message about this vital campaign out. We know that fear of cancer can result in people delaying visiting their GP with potential symptoms or attending screening but the message is clear, ‘don’t give cancer a chance’.

"With clinics running over the weekend on both Saturday and Sunday in the borough it’s easier than ever before to book an appointment through your local GP. I hope this drive will be successful in helping to improve screening uptake rates.”

Blackburn GP Dr Neil Smith, and cancer lead for Blackburn with Darwen CCG, said previously: “Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. Screening prevents cancer by detecting early abnormalities in the cervix, so they can be treated. If these abnormalities are left untreated they can lead to cancer of the cervix (the neck of the womb).

"We know that on average cervical screening helps save the lives of approximately 4,500 women in England every year.

“Unfortunately, we also know that there is a recent and worrying trend of fewer women attending screening; especially in the 25 – 29 age group.

"Also, across the UK figures for those not attending screening show a significant rise as age increases, suggesting that as women age, they consider screening less important.

"We are working to try to encourage more women of all ages to attend for their smear.”