Cervical smear test rates in Brighton and Hove have fallen again and remain among the worst in the south east.
Latest figures reveal that only 68 per cent of women in Brighton and Hove who were invited for cervical screening – known as the smear test – took up the offer in 2017-18.
The figure is down from 68.6 per cent in 2016-17 and 69.5 per cent the year before.
Today (Tuesday 5 March) health chiefs are starting a cervical screening campaign in the region to tackle the decline in the number of women getting tested.
Research from Public Health England found that 9 out of 10 women would take a test that could help prevent cancer yet 1 in 4 do not attend their cervical screening.
Public Health England said: “As a result cervical screening is at a 20-year low, with 1 in 4 eligible women (those aged 25 to 64) in the UK not attending their test.
“The screening rate for the south east is 72.9 per cent, below the national standard of 80 per cent.
“The new campaign provides practical information about how to make the test more comfortable and gives reassurance to women, who may be fearful of finding out they have cancer, that screening is not a test for cancer.
“Regular screening, which only takes a few minutes, can help stop cervical cancer before it starts as the test identifies potentially harmful cells before they become cancerous and ensures women get the right treatment as soon as possible.
“The research shows that once women have been screened, the vast majority feel positive about the experience, with 8 in 10 (87 per cent) stating they are glad they went and that they were put at ease by the nurse or doctor doing the test (84 per cent).”
But at the moment two women die every day of cervical cancer in England – one of the reasons why health chiefs are so keen to improve take up rates.
It is estimated that almost 400 women have a cervical cancer diagnosis in the south east each year and around 104 women die from the disease.
If everyone attended screening regularly, health chiefs believe that more than 80 per cent of cervical cancer cases could be prevented.
The new campaign is intended to encourage women to respond to their cervical screening invitation letter – and if they missed their last screening, to book an appointment at their local doctor’s surgery.
The last time there was a rise in women having smear tests came around the time when reality TV star Jade Goody died from the disease in 2009. She was 27.
TV doctor Dawn Harper is backing the latest campaign. She said: “Cervical screening is one of the most important things women can do to protect themselves from the risk of cervical cancer.
Cervical Screening is an elective test and always has been. Every woman has a legal right to decline it. This should be mentioned in the article. Also some women sign a disclaimer from screening,again not mentioned. Why are we lashing them publicly like this if they have exercised their legal rights?
When will the NHS acknowledge that women have a legal right to decline cancer screening? It is each and everyone’s choice!!!
Screening is optional.
Lizzy, maybe you should calm down and examine why you care so much if women aren’t getting smear tests. Also, all tests are elective, because no one is coming to anyone’s house with a weapon and forcing them to go to the doctor.
Ashley, you misinterpreted my comments. Every woman should decide for herself if she goes or not. It is their body and choice. However, there should balanced information available in the media including the fact that this is optional.
Yes, you are right no one goes into our homes with a weapon to recruit us, on the other hand there is pressure, persuasion and also blackmail in the GP surgeries in Brighton if you have not screened. Some GPs have no scruples about blackmailing you with death in case you did not participate, in other surgeries you will be hounded like an animal by three different members of staff asking you to explain why you do not screen. This is not acceptable!
Why will the CCG of Brighton and Hove not kindly share with the local press the numbers of disclaimers from cervical screening? Perhaps there could a part of the answer of why uptake is ‘so low’, probably the worst after Chelsie and Kensington in London. Food for thought.
I used to go to Morley Street in preference to my G.P practice. However, Morley Street no longer do routine smears, so I didn’t have mine last year.