Theresa May in PMQs: Smear tests are 'uncomfortable' but necessary to screen women for cervical cancer

Theresa May has urged all women who are invited for a life-saving cervical cancer smear test to take up the offer, admitting that she knows first-hand it is “uncomfortable”.

Charities congratulated the Prime Minister for talking so openly about her experiences, saying this is the only way to tackle barriers that have seen uptake of cervical cancer screening in the UK fall to a 19 year low.

National attendance is at around 75 per cent but falls as low as 50 per cent in parts of the UK.

“I know it’s not a comfortable thing to do, because I have it as others do,” said Ms May in a response at Prime Minister’s Questions.

“It’s so important for women’s health, so I first of all want to encourage women to take the smear test. Have that test.”

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt was also asked to review current NHS rules which mean women under the age of 25 are ineligible for the once-every-three-years test unless they pay to have it privately.

This came after Julie Elliot, Labour MP for Sunderland Central raised the issue, after the death of her constituent, Amber Rose Cliff, in January 2017 at the age of 25.

In her appeal to the Prime Minister, Ms Elliott said Amber Rose “went to her GP around 30 times with symptoms and repeatedly asked for a smear test, but she was refused".

She added: “She only got the test when she paid to have it done privately but sadly the cancer had spread.”

Ms Elliott asked that the rules be changed for patients who had symptoms but didn’t meet age criteria.

Ms May said “I will ask the health secretary to look at this issue. We need to address [cervical cancer testing] in every way possible.

“We will look at that question of the age qualification for the smear test, but my overall message is: please, those who are called for a smear test, go and have it.”

Cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer in women under 35 and kills 1,000 women every year in the UK.

A recent poll by charity, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, highlighted that body image concerns and embarrassment are a major factor in putting young women off attending screening.

The vaccination of girls aged 11 to 13 against the human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major step forward in reducing numbers of women who develop cervical cancer.

Studies have suggested the decreased risk means those who have had the jab may only need three smear tests in their whole life, but regular screening remains essential for older women who didn’t have it.

Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, called for the Government to back a national awareness week to increase screening up taking. “It is fantastic that the Prime Minister has spoken out about her own experience of smear tests in today’s PMQs; we would like to congratulate her on speaking so openly on the topic," he said.

“The more we talk about smear tests and women share their experiences, the more we can better understand the barriers to attendance and work to reduce them, ensuring the information and support each woman needs in order to access the test is available.

“I want to thank the Prime Minister for playing a role in this.”