Jade Goody leads screening rise

The tragic death of Jade Goody has been credited with leading a rise in women undergoing screening for cervical cancer.

Jade Goody's tragic battle with cervical cancer has led to a 12% rise in women undergoing screening, experts have revealed. Jade died in March after a seven-month battle with the disease. "Jade Goody really did leave a lasting legacy," Professor Jane Maher, chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support said. "She was open and honest about having cancer and as a result, so many more young women are now looking at their own health and are motivated into taking action. When spotted early, abnormalities can usually be treated successfully by a smear test and that is why it is also essential that women attend follow-up appointments for further tests."

Health Secretary Andy Burnham added, "Jade's bravery and openness in her fight against cervical cancer has brought home to young women across the country the importance of regularly going for these checks."

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of health information, said, "Media coverage of Jade Goody's tragic plight brought important cervical cancer awareness messages into living rooms across the UK and the huge increase in people seeking information about cervical screening following Jade's diagnosis became known as the 'Jade effect'. It is gratifying to see that the result of her story that was played out so painfully in public has resulted in so many more women attending cervical screening."

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