One million people at risk for cervical cancer as screening reaches its lowest level in 21 years

One million women are at risk for cervical cancer, with screening rates at their lowest in 21 years.

NHS Digital figures show that only 71.4% of women in England obtained them on time.

And Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust said that screening had reached its lowest level since 1997. The charity estimates at 4.46 million the number of women aged 25 to 64 who were invited for a test in 2017/18, of which 1.3 million did not have one.

General Manager Robert Music said women were "left behind," adding, "We can not let cervical cancer screening coverage continue to collapse, otherwise diagnoses will increase." ".

A cervical screening test, previously called a smear test, detects abnormal cells on the cervix of the uterus. The latest data show that this is the fourth consecutive year that screening levels have decreased.

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In 2017, this figure was 72% and in 2011 73.7%. Increases were last seen in 2009-2010 and are called "Jade Goody Effect".

Participation rose after the reality star revealed that she was suffering from the disease, dying soon after, at the age of 27.