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" While there is often much media attention surrounding young women being diagnosed with cervical cancer, it is important to remember that the disease can affect older females as well, a new report states. Research carried out by doctors at Keele University and published in the British Medical Journal shows that although cervical cancer is most common in women aged 35 and under, more females aged 65 and above died from the condition between 2010 and 2012. Figures reveal that over the two-year period, 449 patients aged over 65 died from the disease, while just seven aged 25 and under passed away due to cervical cancer. What&amp;#039;s more, doctors predict that the number of cervical cancer cases in over-65s is only set to increase. Currently, 20 per cent of new diagnoses of the disease are in women aged 65 and above. The study also looked at the frequency that women of different ages attended smear tests, finding that younger females were more likely to make sure they were screened for the illness on a regular basis. Statistics showed that by the age of 60 to 64, under three-quarters (72 per cent) of women in the UK had been screened for cervical cancer within the past five years, in comparison to 76 per cent of 55 to 59-year-olds and 82 per cent of 50 to 54-year-olds. However, there are active campaigns urging the government to lower the age of cervical screening from 25, as younger women can also be affected by the potentially life-threatening condition. Data from the NHS shows that cervical screening saves the lives of approximately 4,500 women living in Britain every year. Lead author of the study Sue Sherman commented: &amp;#039;This review suggests that older women not getting themselves screened to prevent cervical cancer has become a significant contributor to the number contracting the disease. &amp;#039;We need to change the perception of cervical cancer so it is thought of just like breast and bowel cancer - that it can affect women well into old age.&amp;#039; "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a25633/cervical-cancer-cases-increasing-in-over-65s/>