A DECADE after TV star Jade Goody died from cervical cancer, more than 21,000 women in Bolton have missed their test for the illness.

Screening rates soared ten years ago as the country watched one of the most famous reality stars, Jade Goody, succumb to cervical cancer at the age of just 27. But new NHS figures show that, today, thousands eligible for screenings are not being screened.

More than a quarter of all women in Bolton who should have had a cervical screening from April to June of this year did not have the test — a total of 21, 194 people from ages 25 to 64.

Dr Stephen Liversedge, Clinical Director of Primary Care and Health Improvement at Bolton CCG, said: “The average uptake for cervical screening in Bolton for 25 to 49 year olds and 50 to 64 year olds is higher than the England averages but we recognise that there is still work to be done.

“There is evidence that younger women aged 25 to 49 are less likely to attend for their smear test — a position we would like to improve."

For women aged 25 to 49-years-old in particular, screening attendance was at just 70.5 per cent. Though this is a slight improvement on the picture from the same period in 2018, which saw 69.3 per cent attendance from the age group, it's still far below the national target of 80 per cent.

Doctors and charities alike are trying to tackle the barriers which can hold women back from going to screenings.

Dr Liversedge said: “We know that some women may feel a bit anxious about attending their cervical screening, so we’d recommend that they give their nurse or GP a call before they go so they can explain what happens and put them at ease.

“Screening is a simple test which takes just five minutes. It can stop cancer before it starts and saves thousands of lives every year.”

Robert Music, the chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust spoke to The Bolton News about the importance of recognising unique difficulties: “We know that there are many reasons that some women find cervical screening difficult. This includes the difficulty of getting an appointment, embarrassment and not understanding what the test is for, to name a few.

"However, some barriers to attending a test are more complex – there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. For example, women with physical disabilities often struggle to access the test, but for different reasons to those who have survived sexual violence."

Mr Music added: "We will continue to raise awareness of the test and its benefits, while acknowledging that it’s not always easy. However, it is important that everyone who wishes to attend cervical screening is supported to do so, which Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust works hard to do.”