There’s been a drop in the number of women in Jersey having a cervical smear test.

Nearly 8,000 were checked in 2013, compared to 5,491 last year.

Dr Linda Diggle says there is a reason for the decline in getting the test.

“It’s three-yearly from the age of 25 to 49 inclusive and then five-yearly from the age of 50 to 64.

“Some of the reduction is actually because of the good news that women don’t need to go quite so often for cervical screenings.”

“The cervical screening programme is designed to pick up abnormal changes in the cervix which can then be treated so that cancer does not occur.

“It’s really important that women attend for the routine screening at the intervals that we recommend.”

20 women in Jersey have been diagnosed with cervical cancer since 2013.

The test did cost up to as much as £62 – but is now free.

Dr Diggle says that change should also increase uptake.

“The cervical screening programme is designed to pick up abnormal changes in the cervix which can then be treated so that cancer does not occur.

“It’s really important that women attend for the routine screening at the intervals that we recommend.”