Jade Goody 'still missed every day' (From Gazette Series)

Jade Goody 'still missed every day'

3:03am Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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Jade Goody's loved ones still "miss her every day" a year since her death from cervical cancer, the late reality star's bridesmaid has said.

Jennifer Smith said Jade's friends wanted to continue to raise awareness of the devastating illness.

Family members including her mother Jackiey Budden and widower Jack Tweed attended a memorial service for the Big Brother star on Sunday and visited her grave.

The mother-of-two's public battle with the disease encouraged thousands more women to go for smear tests, with the number being screened rising by 12 per cent last year.

Ms Smith said: "It's been a year since Jade died and we all miss her every day. We know that Jade's cancer battle raised awareness of cervical cancer, especially among younger women, and we're eager to ensure that more people are educated on the signs, symptoms and risks of cancer."

A Race For Life charity run will be held on June 6 in memory of Goody in Basildon, Essex, to raise funds for Cancer Research.

But charity Jo's Trust has raised concerns that after a peak, the number of women having smear tests is now falling.

Director Robert Music said: "It looks as if these numbers are coming down dramatically, perhaps almost to levels before Jade was diagnosed.

"We need to remind women that cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease and one where they can take proactive steps to reduce their risk."