A poster campaign has been launched urging women to cut the risk of cervical cancer by having regular smear tests.
Merton Sutton and Wandsworth health authority has printed more than 1,000 posters in English and 300 in six other languages to warn women of the dangers of not having regular checks.
At least two thirds of women with invasive cervical cancer have never been screened and, of those, a staggering 90 per cent of the over-40s had not had a smear test.
The authority says the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer is not attending regular smear tests and posters, distributed to doctors surgeries and other public places, urge women to book an appointment.
Results are available within six weeks and most will be normal. Those who need further screening or treatment are referred to a hospital specialist.
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