Smear test age won't be lowered to 20

Last update: Thu Jun 25 2009 07:08:45

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Britain > Smear test age won't be lowered to 20

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Smear test age won't be lowered to 20

The Government has announced it will not be lowering the age for smear tests after a review into cervical cancer.

Following the death of reality TV star Jade Goody from the disease, many GPs noticed a surge in women going for smears.

Only women aged 25 and over are invited for smear tests in England, although the minimum age in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is 20.

Campaigners have been lobbying to lower the age in England to 20, saying that would help save lives.

Jade was just 27 when she died and it thrust the issue of cervical cancer and the age for screening into the spotlight.

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It's been ruled the screening age for cervical cancer will stay the same for women in England - it had been thought it would be lowered from 25 to 20.

Duration: 1m37s