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New TV Ad Urging Women To Go For Smear Tests To Air Tonight

New TV Ad Urging Women To Go For Smear Tests To Air Tonight

The ad will be the first of its kind, as part of Public Health England's campaign to get more women attending their smears.

Emma Rosemurgey

Emma Rosemurgey

The first TV advert encouraging women to go for their smear test will air tonight as the uptake on the life-saving cancer checks reach a 20-year low.

It comes after ministers warn that too many women are dying needlessly with one-in-five women putting them off.

According to health bosses, two women are dying of cervical cancer each day as a result of not going for their smear test.

Now, Public Health England is launching a huge national campaign called Cervical Screening Saves Lives, in a bid to urge more women to attend their appointments.

Tonight a 30-second advert, which is the first of its kind, will appear during The Great Celebrity Bake Off on Channel 4.

It's aim is to urge women who attend their smear, or visit their GP if they missed their last check.

Public Health England

The campaign is backed by Loose Women star Christine Lampard, who said she'll encourage her daughter Patsy to get tested once she's old enough.

She said: "I can't say I'm thrilled when my cervical screening invite is posted through my door but I know how important it is that I get tested.

"It's an awkward five minutes that could save your life.

"As a mother I will never ignore my screening invitation and when my daughter, Patsy, is old enough, I'll encourage her to attend her screenings too."

Public Health England

At the moment, women in the UK can start attending cervical screenings from the age of 25 to 64 every three years, although some might get a letter through the post six months before their 25th birthday.

A study by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust found that 34 per cent of women surveyed were too embarrassed to attend their smear test because of the shape of their vulva, while 31 per cent would avoid attending if they hadn't waxed or shaved their bikini area. And 38 per cent admitted not attending because of concerns over their vagina's smell.

Kate Fanga from the trust told PRETTY52: "It's perfectly normal to be embarrassed by a smear test but try not to let that stand in your way because nurses are professionals and they've done hundreds and thousands of smear tests - they've seen it all before and what they're more concerned about is doing the best job they possibly can.

"They don't care if you've waxed, if you've shaved or are wearing matching socks, they just want to do the best they can."

Hopefully this ad will go one step further to urging women to attend their smears.

Featured Image Credit: Public Health England

Topics: Smear Test, Real, Cervical Cancer, Health