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24/06/2009
England's Cervical Cancer Screening Age Stays At 25
The screening age for cervical cancer will not be lowered the Government has announced today.
Ministers rejected calls to lower the age for those invited for smear tests from 25 in England, with Health Minister Ann Keen saying it would cause too many false positive results.
It was also argued testing carried a risk of damage to the reproductive system, which could result in raising the risk of future premature births in young women.
The minimum age for women to receive smear tests in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is 20.
Ms Keen said: "In the past few months I have met with a number of young women who have cervical cancer.
"I have listened carefully and I am determined to make sure that our policy is in their best interests."
Campaigners called to lower the screening age following the high-profile death of reality TV star Jade Goody.
The 27-year-old was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year, however, the disease had already spread to her liver, groin and bowel.
In 2006 in England, a total of 56 women under the age of 25 were diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Cervical screening is estimated to save the lives of around 4,500 women a year, with early detection and treatment preventing around 75% of cervical cancers developing.
(JM/BMcc)
Ministers rejected calls to lower the age for those invited for smear tests from 25 in England, with Health Minister Ann Keen saying it would cause too many false positive results.
It was also argued testing carried a risk of damage to the reproductive system, which could result in raising the risk of future premature births in young women.
The minimum age for women to receive smear tests in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is 20.
Ms Keen said: "In the past few months I have met with a number of young women who have cervical cancer.
"I have listened carefully and I am determined to make sure that our policy is in their best interests."
Campaigners called to lower the screening age following the high-profile death of reality TV star Jade Goody.
The 27-year-old was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year, however, the disease had already spread to her liver, groin and bowel.
In 2006 in England, a total of 56 women under the age of 25 were diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Cervical screening is estimated to save the lives of around 4,500 women a year, with early detection and treatment preventing around 75% of cervical cancers developing.
(JM/BMcc)
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