Jade Goody's death did what many health campaigns failed to do. Her death due to cervical cancer increased the falling rate of women getting screened for cervical cancer as shown by the recent report by the NHS Information Centre.

The 27-year-old reality television star Jade died within months of her diagnosis. Within a short span of five months the disease spread to her bowel, liver and groin. Before her death, she highlighted the importance of screening.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: "Jade's bravery and openness in her fight against cervical cancer has brought home to young women across the country the importance of regularly going for these checks."

Recent data showed that there has been 12% increase in the number of women aged 25-64 having smear tests. The number increased from 3.2 million to 3.6 million.

It is believed that Jade's case had maximum impact on the young and the less educated women as they were able to understand the value of screening. The number of women aged 25 to 49 who underwent screening in last three to three-and-a-half years has increased from 69.3 per cent in March 2008 to 72.5 per cent in March 2009.