More than a third of British women delayed going for their cervical smear tests due to worries about their body

Many women are avoiding smear tests because of embarrassment, a charity has revealed.

More than a third of women (35%) said that they had delayed going for the cervical cancer test as they are embarrassed about their body shape.

The charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said that the findings of the survey of 2,000 British women were worrying.

Chief executive Robert Music said: “Smear tests prevent 75% of cervical cancers so it is a big worry that so many young women, those who are most at risk of the disease, are unaware of the importance of attending.

“It is of further concern that body worries are contributing to non-attendance. Please don’t let unhappiness or uncertainty about your body stop you from attending what could be a life-saving test. Nurses are professionals who carry out millions of tests every year, they can play a big part in ensuring women are comfortable.”

The survey also found that women do not prioritise the potentially life-saving test as one in six (16%) would rather miss their smear test than a gym class and one in seven (14%) a waxing appointment.

Across the UK, one in four eligible women (aged 25-64) do not take up their smear test invitation, this rises to one in three among 25-29 year olds and is even as high as one in two in some areas of the UK.

Lindsay was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 29 after ignoring invitations for a smear test.

She said: "I was too busy with a baby and a small child, working, and I didn't like the thought of having to get naked in front of anyone I didn't know.

"I don't want other women to have to go through what I experienced.

"I needed a radical hysterectomy and still struggle with some side effects of treatment today.

"Please don't put off your smear test, the alternative is so much worse."

The charity is releasing the data to mark the start of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and has launched its smear test campaign #SmearForSmear