WOMEN in Herefordshire between the ages of 25 and 49 are the least likely to accept screening for cervical cancer every three years.

Although in the most vulnerable age group for the disease, only 74 per cent of those who could have had a smear test bothered to have it done.

The number is well below the Government target of 80 per cent and NHS Herefordshire has made an urgent appeal to those who have not had screening to take up the offer to ensure they do not have anything that could become potentially life-threatening.

Overall, the response by women to cervical screening has been good in Herefordshire, with 82 per cent being checked, two per cent above the national target.

In 2007-8, a total of 12,668 samples went for laboratory testing and, of these, just 0.8 per cent needed further investigation.

It is the middle age group – 25 to 49 – causing the most concern for not taking part.

Women aged between 25 and 49 are invited for screening every three years and those between 50 and 64 every five years.

They are notified by post, given a choice of where to go for the test and the results are posted back to their home address.

Janey Lyons, of NHS Herefordshire, said: “The test is very simple and only takes about five minutes. It’s done in private at your GP surgery or local health clinic, and you can ask to see a female doctor or nurse.

“It’s so quick and easy and, if anything is found in the test, it can usually be treated quickly and painlessly before it develops into something potentially lifethreatening.”

NHS Herefordshire reports that the number of women in the county taking up cervical screening was below target before the publicity surrounding national personality Jade Goody, who later died from the disease, but numbers were now rising.