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Smear test age limit to remain 25 Smear test age limit to remain 25
(40 minutes later)
The screening age for cervical cancer will not be lowered from 25 in England, the government says.The screening age for cervical cancer will not be lowered from 25 in England, the government says.
Ministers rejected calls for the move after asking its screening advisors to review policy.Ministers rejected calls for the move after asking its screening advisors to review policy.
Health Minister Ann Keen said lowering the age could cause too many false positive results. Health Minister Ann Keen said lowering the age could cause too many false positive results leading to unnecessary and potentially harmful treatment.
She also said further testing carried a risk of damage to the reproductive system which might raise the risk of future premature births in young women. But campaigners said it was disappointing as the Jade Goody case showed young people were at risk.
But she said there would be an awareness campaign to encourage GPs and nurses to spot the signs of cancer at an earlier stage. The government came under pressure to lower the age after the death of the 27-year-old reality TV star earlier this year.
The position in England contrasts to that in the rest of the UK, where screening is carried out from the age of 20. I have listened carefully and I am determined to make sure that our policy is in their best interests Ann Keen, health minister
The rest of the UK offer screening at the age of 20, leading to suggestions of a postcode lottery.
But ministers said they were sure they had made the right decision after asking the Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening to assess the evidence.
The committee concluded 25 was the tipping point at which the benefits of screening outweigh the risks.
One in three women under the age 25 will have an abnormal results compared with one in 14 for older women, meaning there would be many false positives.
The experts warned this would lead to unnecessary treatment which then increases the risk of premature births in the future.
Ms Keen said: "In the past few months I have met with a number of young women who have cervical cancer.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.""I have listened carefully and I am determined to make sure that our policy is in their best interests."
But she said there would be an awareness campaign to encourage GPs and nurses to spot the signs of cancer at an earlier stage.
Goody caseGoody case
In 2003, the age when women in England are invited for a smear test was raised from 20 to 25, as it was felt it did more harm than good in younger women.In 2003, the age when women in England are invited for a smear test was raised from 20 to 25, as it was felt it did more harm than good in younger women.
But there been calls to lower screening age following the high-profile case of Jade Goody. The move was later backed by the World Health Organization.
The reality TV star, 27, was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year, but the disease had already spread to her liver, groin and bowel. But the government agreed to review the policy after the attention given to the issue following Ms Goody's diagnosis and new evidence which has emerged.
In 2008, UK researchers also found the incidence of high-grade pre-cancerous lesions was increasing in younger women, prompting them to call for screening to be offered from the age of 20. Last year researchers noted that the incidence of high-grade pre-cancerous lesions was increasing in younger women.
Cervical screening is estimated to save around 4,500 lives a year.Cervical screening is estimated to save around 4,500 lives a year.
Early detection and treatment can prevent around 75% of cervical cancers developing.Early detection and treatment can prevent around 75% of cervical cancers developing.
In England in 2006, a total of 56 women under the age of 25 were diagnosed with cervical cancer.In England in 2006, a total of 56 women under the age of 25 were diagnosed with cervical cancer.
But Liz Davies, from Marie Stopes International, said the government should have lowered the screening age.
"The Department of Health concerns itself with the provision of standardised high-quality care for all, and with promoting a culture of prevention rather than cure.
"It is therefore nonsensical that English women have to wait for a preventative cancer screening service that is provided five years earlier to women living in the rest of the UK."