A HEALTH and wellbeing service is encouraging women in County Durham to attend smear tests which could help save their life.
County Durham Wellbeing for Life is working in partnership with local GP surgeries and the community to give women the opportunity to find out more about cervical screening.
In 2014 there were there were 3,224 new cases of cervical cancer and though it is more commonly diagnosed in women aged between 25 and 29, it can affect women of any age.
Vicki Moffat, wellbeing coordinator, said: “A lot of women feel embarrassed or fearful of attending their cervical screening appointments and that is understandable.
“The practice nurses understand this and do everything they can to help you feel comfortable. “It’s so important to make your screening appointment, it could save your life.”
Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, but for abnormal cells which could develop into cancer.
According to Cancer Research UK, smear tests save around 4,500 lives every year in the UK.
For more information about cervical screening call 0800 8766887 or visit www.wellbeingforlife.net
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