Women aged over 50 urged to have smear tests

Women over 50 are being urged to have regular smear tests after research showed those who skip screening are six times more likely to end up with cervical cancer.

A study by Cancer Research scientists in the UK found women who fail to have smear tests over 50 have a much higher chance of developing the disease compared to women of the same age who have a history of normal screening results.

Researchers also found that women with a screening history and normal screening results between the ages of 50 and 64 have a lower risk of cervical cancer, at least into their 80s.