HEALTH chiefs have launched a major national campaign this week to encourage more women to attend their cervical screening.

Public Health England's (PHE) ‘Cervical Screening Saves Lives’ campaign, which was launched on March 5, follows recent data showing that the number of women attending screening has fallen to a 20-year low.

Around 2,600 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year and around 690 women die from the disease, which is two deaths every day.

It is estimated that if everyone attended screening regularly, 83 per cent of cervical cancer cases could be prevented.

Dr Neil Smith, cancer lead for Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Groups said: "Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix.

"It is not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent 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).

"I would recommend that every woman invited should have the test.

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

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under. Despite this, more than 20 per cent of women invited for screening do not attend. Cervical screening can prevent around 45 per cent of cervical cancer cases in women in their 30s, rising with age to 75 per cent in women in their 50s and 60s, who attend regularly.

As well as attending for screening when invited, other signs to look out for include any abnormal bleeding or unpleasant discharge or pain after sex.

People should make an appointment to see their doctor if they notice anything else unusual.

Professor Anne Mackie, director of screening programmes at PHE, said: “The decline in numbers getting screened for cervical cancer is a major concern as it means millions of women are missing out on a potentially life-saving test.

"Two women die every day in England from cervical cancer, yet it is one of the most preventable cancers if caught early.

“We want to see a future generation free of cervical cancer but we will only achieve our vision if women take up their screening invitations.

"This is a simple test which takes just five minutes and could save your life.

"It’s just not worth ignoring.”

For more information on cervical cancer and smear tests visit Cancer Research UK's website and search cervical screening.