Women aged 25 to 64 are being encouraged to attend their cervical screening appointments to help early detection of cancer.

The NHS is running a campaign in Waltham Forest to try and up the number of women attending their routine appointment to avoid longer term health risks.

The Join Women Like Us campaign has been developed by the borough’s Clinical Commissioning Group team with the help of local residents.

As part of the campaign, women are sharing their cervical screening experiences, in the hope of educating and encouraging others to overcome any fears about attending their appointment.

Every year in the UK, 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Across east London, around 70 per cent of women who receive an invitation do attend their free screening appointment.

The remaining 30 per cent are still not regularly taking up this potentially life-saving test.

Every three to five years, women from 25 to 64 years old are invited for a free NHS cervical screening appointment – also known as a smear test.

The screening can detect changes in the cells of the cervix which could be a sign of cancer. This can be crucial because early diagnosis and treatment of cancer greatly increases the chances of survival.

Dr Mayank Shah, clinical director for cancer services at NHS Waltham Forest CCG, said: “Cervical screening helps to identify pre-cancerous cells and treat women at increased risk of cervical cancer.

“Despite the importance of screening, in Waltham Forest only 64.2 per cent of women aged between 25 and 49, and 77.8 per cent of women aged between 50 and 64, attend their smear test when invited.

“We want to encourage more people to attend screening. Join in the CCG’s campaign and attend your screening appointment when invited by your GP.”

Local women who have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM) can now visit a specialist walk-in clinic at Whipps Cross Hospital (Perineal Clinic, Area A, Outpatients building) for their cervical screening tests.

The clinic is available on the last Monday of the month (excluding bank holidays) from 9am to 12pm.

Hibo Wardere, a local campaigner against FGM and one of the faces for the Join Women Like Us campaign said: “By taking yourself out of your comfort zone and having your screening test done, you could save your life. Don’t be afraid, if I can do it, I can promise that you can.”

For more information, visit the Join Women Like Us campaign page on the NHS Waltham Forest CCG website and follow #JOINWOMENLIKEUS on social media.