SCORES of Huddersfield women are coming forward for cervical smear tests, latest figures show.

And it is being put down to The Goody Effect.

Screening laboratories at both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Dewsbury and District Hospital have reported a rise in the number of tests being carried out by GPs in the area since the tragic case of celebrity Jade Goody.

During January and February smear test uptake rose by 18% in Dewsbury and 10% at CRH – the hospitals that carry out testing for Huddersfield patients.

At Elland’s private Spire Hospital, the number of women making cervical screening enquiries was also up by 100% on the year before.

The move coincides with the tragic death of reality TV star Jade Goody from the disease last week.

Today Golcar mum Joanna Tatlock – who battled cervical cancer at the age of 25 – welcomed the news.

She said: “A lot of women don’t have symptoms until it is too late.

“That is why going for a smear test is so important because it can be a silent killer.”

Women aged 25 to 49 are routinely offered cervical smear testing in Britain every three years to detect cell changes that could become cancerous.

Those aged 50 to 64 are called every five years. In Kirklees, 80.5% of eligible women attend screening appointments, figures for 2007 to 2008 show.

That number is slightly higher than the average national uptake of 80%.

Joanna – now 27 – urged women not to be embarrassed. She said: “I think all the recent publicity has demystified it a little bit. It is really nothing to worry about and is over in 10 minutes. I know it is a personal thing but you can ask for a woman doctor.

“I would encourage women to go and get checked and not be embarrassed.

“It is your body and it is totally worth it.”

The uptake of women aged 25 to 29 has been dropping in Kirklees over the last few years in line with the national trend.

But at Spire Elland Hospital, more women are opting for private testing where results are available within five days.

Spire Healthcare director of clinical services Dr JJ de Gorter said: “The proportion of women aged 25-30 having NHS cervical screening has fallen in recent years from 80% in 1995 to 70% in 2005/6.

“However, such screening is extremely important and it is encouraging to see more women actively seeking private testing and being responsible for their gynaecological well-being.

“Though abnormalities are rare, treatment outcomes are better the earlier they are detected.”