The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the most common reasons cervical cancer develops in women but GO Girls!, who support women with gynaecological cancers, are reminding women the HPV vaccine will not prevent them from getting cervical cancer.

“HPV is extremely common”, said Hilary Maxwell, Chair of GO Girls! “In fact, about 80 per cent of us will contract HPV in our lives when we are sexually active and, in many cases, our own immune system will clear up the virus.

"However, in some cases the virus may be the cause of a cervical cancer - there are about 13 high-risk types which may contribute to its development."

GO Girls! launched their #lipcervix campaign this month, asking women not to pay #lipcervix to their smear tests.

Julie Gosling, whose daughter, Holly Naulin, was diagnosed with cervical cancer aged just 28 said: “I cannot emphasise enough how important it is for women to attend for their smear tests. My daughter was lucky and survived cervical cancer, but I know the GO Girls! have lost many others to the disease. It’s a fantastic advancement for those who are offered the HPV vaccine, but there are many women out there, including me, who still must attend for their smear tests – we all know earlier diagnosis of any cancer is likely to result in improved survival.

“Recent research has shown that immunising against HPV infection protects against cervical pre-cancer and it is likely that this will reduce cervical cancer rates in the future. However, the vaccine cannot prevent all cervical cancers and this is why regular screening has a vital role in helping to prevent the disease.

Next year the Government is rolling out HPV testing as part of routine screenings for cervical cancer.

"We want all eligible women to have both the vaccine and to carry on attending their smear tests – it’s simple, don’t pay #lipcervix to your smear tests," she said.