A CAMPAIGN has been launched to highlight cervical cancer screening following the death of a young Barnsley mum.
Jemma Taylor-Cutts, who was diagnosed in 2012, died on New Year's Day at the age of 27.
A social media campaign launched by her friends and family raised £53,000 for alternative treatment, and now MP Dan Jarvis is encouraging other eligible women to be screened.
Jemma's husband Chris Cutts welcomed the campaign and called for the screening age to be lowered.
He said: "If a woman has any inkling there's a problem they need to get screened and checked out. I do think the screening age should be lowered.
One of the reasons they don't want to lower it is because they don't want to worry people at a young age but I don't see that as a fit reason."
The latest available figures requested by Mr Jarvis show there were 16 newly diagnosed cases of cervical cancer in Barnsley in 2012, up from 12 in 2011.
Mr Jarvis added: "I have been contacted by constituents who are very concerned about the number of young women being diagnosed with cervical cancer in Barnsley.
"I will continue to raise this issue on a national level, but we must also make sure that women here in Barnsley know just how important it is to attend these lifesaving tests.
"My message to women in Barnsley is if you're not sure when you last had a smear test, or if you're eligible for cervical screening, please contact your local GP."
