CERVICAL screenings can quite literally save your life, but still more than 20 per-cent of women in Dorset don't attend their appointment.

The latest figures show that 78 per-cent of women in Dorset fail to book their cervical screening, previously known as a smear test.

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The number of women attending their cervical cancer test in the UK is at a 20-year-low according to the latest government statistics.

However, the rate of women attending their appointments in Dorset is at 78.4 per-cent which is infact much higher than the national average of 72.2 per-cent.

Cervical screening checks the health of women's cervix and can help to prevent cancer.

All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited by letter and last year more than 4 million women were invited for theirs. 

During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells are taken - if any abnormal cells show up then they can be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.

The number of women attending their cervical screening in Dorset increased by 6 per-cent from 2018/19 to 2019/20 from 72 per-cent to 78 per-cent.

However, the full extent of the pandemic on cervical screening is not yet known and a number of services nationwide were put on hold during the lockdowns.

Rebecca Shoosmith, chief executive (acting) of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said: "While the full impact of the pandemic on cervical screening is not yet known, we have new challenges to contend with as a result.

"Across the UK, disruptions to services, increased anxiety and uncertainty about attending have meant that many women and people with a cervix will now be overdue. We also know that many find the test difficult to begin with, with barriers such as trauma or a previous bad experience making it harder for some. It’s not always easy, for many reasons, but cervical screening can save lives – it can stop cervical cancer before it starts.

"If you have questions or want support, you’re not alone - call our free Helpline on 0808 802 8000."

When do you get invited for your screening?

If you are under 25 then you will be invited up to six months before you turn 25.

Women aged between 25 to 49 are invited every three years and those over 50 are invited every five years.

For more information visit the NHS website - www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening.