A CAMPAIGN is to be launched today to encourage more women to attend cervical smear appointments.

Derwentside Primary Care Trust is to stage two events to get the message across to women that the appointments could be life-saving.

Women's Health Day sessions will be held at Consett Civic Centre, from 9am to noon, and at Townley House, in Stanley, between 1pm and 4pm, to promote the information campaign.

Appointments are sent out to women aged 25 to 64 by their GPs, asking them to attend for a test for pre-cancerous changes in cells which can help detect cancer at an early stage.

While more than eight out of ten women in the area keep their appointments, numbers appear to be falling and health officials are concerned they may be putting their safety at risk.

Posters and leaflets will be distributed to doctors' surgeries, health centres and family planning clinics.

Dr Anne Low, director of public health for Derwentside Primary Care Trust, said: "While overall our screening rates in Derwentside and the rest of the county are currently above the national target of 80 per cent, the rates are decreasing.

"We are launching the campaign to highlight the importance of attending for regular testing and to try to reverse this downward trend.

"The biggest risk factor for getting cancer of the cervix is not having a smear test.

"Early detection and treatment of abnormalities can prevent 80 to 90 per cent of cervical cancers developing.

"It is important that women who have not been tested within the last five years make an appointment for a smear test as soon as possible."

Today's events are being staged in partnership with Derwentside District Council, female council staff will also be provided with information on breast screening, blood pressure checks, an opportunity to have their body mass index calculated and advice on quitting smoking.