COUNCILLOR LEADS CALLS FOR CERVICAL SCREENING AGE REDUCTION

Lemington councillor Joanne Park has led calls for the minimum age for women in England to be invited for screening for cervical cancer to be lowered to 20 - in line with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Councillor Park proposed a motion that was passed unanimously by councillors, which noted that young women in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are invited to cervical screening from the age of 20, while women in England are not invited until the age of 25.

She said: "The recent publicity of Jade Goody's cancer has shocked young girls and women.

"Consequently, cervical screening tests have risen by up to 50% in some areas of the country.

"The Government has now announced a review of cervical cancer screening for women under 25. This review is very welcome.

"It makes sense to start them thinking about their cervical health as early as possible and universal screening from an early age is a key strategy for achieving that."

The motion stated:

Council notes

(i) that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer after breast cancer among younger women.

(ii) that whilst the incidence of cervical cancer has fallen overall in the UK, the rate for women in their 20s has not fallen according to Cancer Research UK.

(iii) that in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, young women are invited to cervical screening from the age of 20, whereas in England this does not begin until the age of 25.

Council believes that arrangements in England should be brought in line with the other home nations.