WOMEN over the age of 50 have been warned they face an increased threat of cervical cancer and potential loss of life due to lack of understanding about prevention.

During Cervical Screening Awareness Week, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s only dedicated charity for women affected by cervical cancer and abnormalities, wants to highlight the worrying lack of understanding of the cancer and cervical screening among older women.

Recent research by the Trust and Gransnet found that uptake of the cervical screening, known more commonly as smear tests, in Bolton is lower than the national average of 73.5 percent.

In Bolton figures have dropped slightly from 73.2 percent in 2013 to 2014, to 72.8 percent last year, with just under 73 percent of 60 to 64 year olds taking part in the screening.

The overall uptake in the North West in 2014/15 is 72.8 percent, down from 73.0 percent in 2013/14.

National statistics show incidences of cervical cancer have risen and nine women now face a diagnosis every day.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust chief executive, Robert Music, said that uptake of the screening for women aged 60 to 64 was at an 18 year low.

He added: "Not attending cervical screening is the biggest risk factor to developing cervical cancer.

"Cervical cancer is a preventable disease so it is extremely worrying that diagnoses have risen.

"Women aged 50 to 64 are of particular concern as they are more likely to receive an advanced stage diagnosis, with 49 percent of diagnoses stage two or later, which means more invasive treatment, poorer health outcomes and increased risk of loss of life."

Barriers may include 'relevance, accessibility and flexibility' coupled long term increases in incidence and mortality among the age group.

However, for women who are post-menopause, screening can be particularly uncomfortable.

Further findings from the trust survey of over 1,000 women aged over 50 also found that almost half do not agree or do not know the Human papillomavirus (HPV) - the cause of almost all cases of cervical cancer - is common.

Meanwhile one in five did not know that regular cervical screening reduces the risk of cervical cancer, while reasons for delaying the test included embarrassment, difficultly booking appointments, pain and previous bad experiences.

Mr Music added: "Further research into HPV self-sampling tests is urgently needed as it could help overcome some of these barriers for this age group.

"The 2015 Cancer Strategy for England highlights the need to increase screening attendance and I am afraid that if we do not tackle this with a sense of urgency we are only exacerbating the ticking time bomb of increased incidence."

Cervical screening provides the best protection against cervical cancer, a disease that can be prevented.

The latest statistics show incidences of cervical cancer in the UK have risen from eight diagnoses every day to nine each day, meaning 3,207 women a year now face a diagnosis.

The trust found one in three women over 50 do not think of the cervical screenings as part of the healthy upkeep of a woman’s body and almost one in four do not think they are important to have regularly according to the trust.

Adding to concern, 33 percent of women have delayed or not attended this potentially life-saving test with an average delay of 26 months and one in 10 delaying for over five years.

Adding to concern, new modelling work commissioned by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust believes that by 2040 incidences of the cancer will have increased by 16 percent among 60-64 year olds and 85 percent among 70-74 year olds.

A 100 percent increase in mortality among 60-64 year olds is also a very real threat if screening uptake continues to decline and falls by another five percent.

It is hoped the research will encourage more conversations and increased awareness about the role of cervical screening in preventing cancer.

Jane Ellison, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health added: "Cervical screening currently saves 4,500 lives a year, but it could save more if everyone took the opportunity to be screened. Even as we get older, it is important that we spot any abnormalities early so we have a better chance of preventing cervical cancer.

"Cervical Screening Awareness Week will be vital in raising awareness - screening is our best protection against cervical cancer. I encourage all women, whatever their age, to make the important decision to attend cervical screening when invited."