WOMEN over 25 across the district are being urged to take-up the chance of cervical screening.

The plea has been issued after it was revealed that about a third of women aged 25-49 in Bradford district are not attending for a test.

An invitation is automatically sent out every three years to women in the age group, registered with a GP.

And around one in five women aged 50-64 are not going for screening every five years.

As part of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, Bradford Council is backing efforts to raise awareness and stress the importance of the screening.

It has published videos on its website, at bradford.gov.uk/health/improve-your-health/advice-about-cancer-screening, featuring local women explaining why the tests were important for them.

Every year, more than 3,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer. It is the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under.

Ralph Saunders, the council's head of public health, said: "Cervical screening is not a test for cancer but for detecting early abnormalities which can be treated before it even gets started. This is why everyone invited should get screened.

"Talking about the test does reassure people and encourage more women to attend screening. And support from friends and family is important, particularly for women going to a screening for the first time.

"It's very important younger women go for their screening when invited.

"There is a spike in the number of women in their early 30s who develop the disease, yet this is this age group which is most likely not to attend for screening."

Dr Anne Connolly – a GP and the clinical lead for maternity, women's and sexual health with Bradford District and Craven clinical commissioning groups – said going for the routine test was the best way of helping to prevent cervical cancer developing.

"Any woman is at risk of cervical cancer – even if you have had the HPV jab at school or whether or not you have had children," she added.

"Going for your cervical smear test is the best way to check for any changes to the cervix before it develops into cancer.

"Catching any abnormalities early is so important, as it means treatment is easier and more effective.

"Getting the test is really easy and it only takes a few minutes to do.

"You should get a reminder from your GP practice and the test can be done at the surgery or a local contraception service and can always be performed by another female.

"I would encourage women to book in for the test if they are overdue or as soon as they get a reminder – it could save their life.

"If you are not sure whether you have missed your test, please contact your GP surgery and they will let you know."

Dr Connolly said symptoms of cervical cancer weren't always obvious and there may be none at all until it has reached an advanced stage.

"This is why it's very important for women to attend all their cervical screening appointments," she said.

For more details about the NHS cervical screening programme, visit nhs.uk/Conditions/Cervical-screening-test.

Further information about Cervical Cancer Prevention Week can be found at jostrust.org.uk.