Cervical screenings carried out across Medway and Kent have risen by 20 per cent in recent months.

NHS Medway believes the number of women attending appointments has risen since Jade Goody was diagnosed with cervical cancer last August.

The reality TV star is dying from the disease, which has since spread to to other areas of her body.

A spokesman for NHS Medway said: "Jade’s illness has had a real impact on Medway and Kent women attending appointments for cervical screening.

"In recent months there has been a 20 per cent increase in cervical screenings carried out across Kent and Medway.

"Women across Kent and including Medway are also requesting to be screened early, before their next appointment is due."

NHS Medway, the new name for Medway Primary Care Trust, has also seen a phenomenal number of girls and young women, aged between 12 and 18, taking up a new pioneering vaccine that will protect them against cervical cancer.

The spokesman added: "Since it launched in December, 80 per cent of girls and young women offered the HPV vaccine have had their first injection."

The age of women routinely invited for cervical screening is set by national policy. The age is 25.

The HPV vaccination, funded by Government, is made up of three injections given over six months and administered by the school nurse.

The Cervarix vaccine is 99 per cent effective against the two types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that cause almost 75 per cent of cases of cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine does not protect against all forms of the virus and does not replace cervical screening.

For further information phone 0845 602 3303 or visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk/vaccine/HPV