Thousands of women who were excluded from undergoing cervical cancer tests after undergoing hysterectomies are to be invited for check-ups.

In June 2021 it emerged around 13,000 women had been incorrectly removed from the national cervical screening programme after having hysterectomies.

It's understood a small number of women died from cervical cancer after being wrongly excluded.

Now a small "audit" is taking place to invite the women who were missed to have the examination within the next 12 months.

Samantha Dixon, the chief executive of Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, urged people not to panic.

She said: "This audit is part of a wider piece of work ensuring that everyone eligible for cervical screening is being regularly invited.

"It might sound worrying, but do remember cervical cancer is a rare cancer and risk of developing it remains low."

Women aged 25-64 are offered smear tests checking for human papillomavirus (HPV) which is the main cause of cervical cancer.

Those who had died had undergone a hysterectomy which usually involves the removal of the womb and the cervix.

But in some cases, part or all of the cervix can be removed and doctors advise these women should still attend cervical screenings.

The issue came to light in 2021, leading to a review of the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme where the medical records of about 200,000 women were checked.

The then public health minister, Maree Todd, instructed Health Improvement Scotland to look at the processes, systems and governance for when women are permanently removed from the list for cervical screening.

In a letter from Dr Naureen Ahmad, the Scottish Government's deputy director of the general practice policy division, said the women will be invited to attend screening appointments over the next 12 months while a wider audit of a further 150,000 records takes place.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We apologise for any anxiety caused by the audit being undertaken in the cervical screening programme.

"The risk to those who have been excluded is low and it is very much a precautionary step as the overwhelming majority of exclusions will be correct.

"Everyone who has been affected will be contacted by the screening programme.

"In partnership with NHS Scotland, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust has made its national helpline available to anyone with concerns.

"You can get more information, advice and support by contacting the free Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust helpline on 0808 802 8000."