The common belief that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) women are not at risk of cervical cancer is "fake news" that has created a dangerous screening gap, the NHS has warned.

The NHS urged LGB women to attend cervical cancer screening tests as it warned that uptake remain low.

Just under one in five (19 per cent) of LGB women who are eligible for cervical screening has never been to an appointment.

Pharmacy minister Seema Kennedy said: “No woman’s life should be put at risk because of myths and misinformation. Anyone with a cervix may be at risk of cervical cancer and regular and effective screening is the only way to protect against it. This Pride, I strongly urge women from LGBT communities to go and have their cervical screening if they have not already – it could save your life.”