BURY'S health bosses are going into battle against cervical cancer.

It follows statistics that show the disease kills more people in Bury than the regional average.

Women between the ages of 20 and 64 will now be called for screening every three years in a bid to catch the cancer early and give women a better chance of survival.

Currently the interval for a smear test is five years and applies to women aged between 20 and 35.

Dr Sheila Will, consultant in public health medicine at Bury and Rochdale Health Authority, said: "Although we have a high uptake for smears locally, our record for cervical cancer could be improved.

"That means we need to encourage more women to come for screening so that we can catch the disease early while treatment is simple and effective."

A more "women friendly" call for screening is also part of the new offensive with letters written in plainer language to improve knowledge and reduce anxiety over the test.

The new system will be brought into force between November, 1997, and April, 1998.

"We are keen to ensure the practical side of it runs smoothly, then we can look at areas or groups of women who need particular encouragement to get involved," added Dr Will.

"We want to reduce the amount of death, harm and anxiety that cervical cancer causes women. These measure should allow for a much higher proportion of patients to be detected."

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