ALMOST a quarter of Oxfordshire women are turning down free screening tests for cervical cancer despite massive coverage of the dangers of the disease.

The death of reality TV star Jade Goody has been credited for a rise in the number of women across England who have checked themselves in for a smear test, which detects signs of the cancer.

The cancer is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) which most women get without any symptoms.

Women aged between 25 and 49 are invited for smear tests every three years and women aged between 50 to 64 are invited every five years.

In England, take-up for the free screening examination rose from 78.6 per cent in 2007 to 78.9 per cent in 2008, the year after Ms Goody was diagnosed with the cancer.

But in Oxfordshire the percentage of women who are booking the test remained at 77 per cent.

NHS Oxfordshire said in an ideal world all women would regularly have the test, but nationally trust’s are expected to reach 80 per cent.

Health improvement principal Anne Ambler said: “Last year there was an increase in cervical screening samples taken, particularly among younger age groups. This was attributed to the coverage of Jade Goody’s cervical cancer.

“However, overall coverage in Oxfordshire remains at around 77 per cent, the same as before Jade’s high profile death.

“The younger age group is a particular concern for us, as take up is staying at around 60 per cent.”

The coverage rate, which details what percentage of eligible women take up the test, is different for each age group.

The lowest take up is in the 25 to 29 age group, with only 60 per cent of those eligible taking the test.

The 45 to 49 age group has the highest take up, with 83.5 per cent of women going for the test regularly.

Ms Ambler said it was vital to get more women to have the test in order to boost survival rates.

She added: “If overall coverage of 80 per cent can be achieved, the evidence suggests that a reduction in death rates of around 95 per cent is possible in the long term.

“It only takes five to 10 minutes and most women will receive a normal result. Most cases of cervical cancer could be prevented if women go for regular cervical screening.”

She added regular tests meant cervical changes could be detected before they became cancerous.

  • Mother-of-one Julie Walker had just celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary and her son Cameron’s first birthday when she learned she had cervical cancer.

Mrs Walker, from Didcot, had a routine smear test in 2008 when she had a call from her doctor, asking her to go back because it showed abnormalities.

She was then sent for further tests at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. A week later Mrs Walker was told she had cancer. She said: “It was the worst time of my life. As soon as you hear that word ‘cancer’ you just fall apart. All I could think of was my son.”

After two operations, Mrs Walker has been told her recent tests have come back all clear.

She said: “Jade Goody was a worst case scenario I suppose.

“Perhaps it would help people to hear about the positive side of things and to hear about my story. I would just say to women, ‘please if you have anything wrong, any cell changes, please return and get yourself checked regularly’.”