WOMEN are being urged to take up cervical cancer screening as part of a national awareness campaign.

NHS Vale Royal and Southern Cheshire clinical commissioning groups are encouraging mid Cheshire women aged 25 and over to attend their smear test as part of Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, which runs until Sunday.

In Vale Royal, 75.3 per cent of women have had their routine smear test which is above the national average, but still below the target of 80%.

Meanwhile, in Southern Cheshire – which includes Middlewich, Crewe and Nantwich – that figure drops to 74.1 per cent.

Dr Achla Damania, GP and Macmillan cancer lead at Vale Royal CCG, said: "I know that the smear test can feel a little uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it is really important that all women who receive a letter through the post attend their cervical screening test.

"Ultimately, the five minutes which the screening takes could turn out to be life-saving."

Nationally, two women every day lose their lives to cervical cancer, with 75 per cent of cases preventable through screening.

It is recommended that women aged 25 to 49 have their cervical screening test every three years, and women aged 50 to 64 should have their test every five years.

Women will receive a letter through the post asking them to make an appointment for the potentially life-saving screening.

Dr Damania added: "If you’re concerned about anything out of the ordinary, it is important to talk to someone about it.

"Just one conversation could lead to a cancer diagnosis at an early stage, and the earlier we can start treating cancer, the better the outcome will be."

For more information about the cervical screening test, visit nhs.uk