Second wave of 'Jade Effect'

The number of women being examined for possible cervical cancer is still high, after Big Brother celeb Jade Goody died from the disease in March 2009.

Doctors in Nottingham say referrals to the Colposcopy Unit, where women are checked for pre-cancerous cells, have risen by 20%

On day three of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, and our look at issues connected with the disease, the experts say the main reason for the increase is because more women went for smear tests after Jade's death from cervical cancer in March last year.

Although the numbers going for screening have now returned to normal after a near 50% increase, the Colposcopy Unit are still seeing large numbers of women.

Gynaecologist at the City Hospital, Dr David Nunns, says ten months on, they are still feeling the impact of Jade's death...

"What happened in Nottingham is it encouraged women to come forward who had symptoms that might have suggested cervical cancer, so we saw a huge surge in the number of people coming to the hospital for possible treatment and reassurance."

"Although we're still seeing large numbers of women referred to the clinic with symptoms, we're hoping that will soon settle down to what it was before the Jade Goody effect."

"We've seen this before in the past with Alma out of Coronation Street, who also died from cervical cancer in the series a few years ago. This sudden rise in awareness that leads to women coming forward for investigation or reassurance and usually numbers soon settle down".

"We want women to be really body-aware and report symptoms to their GP in the first instance, so certainly if a woman gets an invite for a cervical smear, they should go for that smear."

Cervical cancer links:

Cancer Research UK - Symptoms, tests, treatments and what to ask
Jo's Trust - The UK's only dedicated cervical cancer charity
Macmillan Cancer Support - Treatments, side-effects and further support
NHS - Offical advice and information
Healthtalkonline - Read and hear real life stories