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  • Screening age for cervical cancer won't be dropped to 20

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Screening age for cervical cancer won't be dropped 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.

ITN | June 24, 2009Watch more videos from ITN

Tags:. .thrust. .cervical. .smears. .lobbying. .spotlight