Around one in four women in Wiltshire eligible to have cervical screening has not taken the test, official figures have revealed.

NHS data shows that 77 per cent of the 124,925 people in Wiltshire eligible for a smear test by the end of 2020 were screened.

This means that tens of thousands of women across the county have missed their latest smear test.

Those aged 25 to 49 are invited for screening every three years, while those aged 50 to 64 receive invitations every five years.

Rebecca Shoosmith, acting chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said that while the full impact of the pandemic on cervical screenings is not yet known, there are challenges to contend with.

This data is released every year in November and the full impact of the pandemic on cervical screenings will not be known until later this year.

“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,” she added.

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“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.”

Wiltshire Council public health consultant, Rachel Kent, said that since 2018 there has been an increase in screening amongst Wiltshire’s 25 to 49 year olds.

“Whereas the uptake in the 50 to 64 year old age group has been gradually declining over the last 10 years, which is very much reflected in the South West Region and in England," she added.

“We know that over the last few months many screening tests may have been postponed due to the coronavirus restrictions, however, it is really important that women attend their appointment when invited to do so.

“Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

"Screening is not a test for cancer, it is a test to help prevent cancer by checking for the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cell changes."

For more information about the cervical screening programme please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening.

If you have questions or need support, you can call the Jo’s Trust free Helpline on 0808 802 8000.