A quarter of women did not link smear tests to cancer

Over 1,500 women aged 25 to 64 - the target age range for smears - were questioned.

Many wrongly thought the test detected cancer itself, rather than a potentially pre-cancerous condition.

Cancer Research UK said the survey results were "alarming" and stressed women should go for the tests.

It is vitally important to get the message out that screening saves lives Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK

The survey also found that just under a quarter of the women did not know associate the smear test specifically with cancer.

Before the national screening programme was introduced, the death rate from cervical cancer among British women under 35 was among the highest in the developed world.

Only Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania had higher rates than the UK.

Between 1967 and 1987 cervical cancer death rates in Britain trebled.

Since the national screening programme began in 1988 the trend has reversed.

Prevention

Experts say the screening programme today saves more than 1,000 lives each year.

Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK, said: "The purpose of the cervical smear is all about prevention.

"The test detects any abnormal cells that could become cancerous and follow-up treatment will prevent cancer developing."

She added: "As part of Cancer Research UK's Reduce the Risk campaign we are urging women to go for regular screening checks when they are invited.

"We know that only 50% of women of all ages are aware that a national cervical screening programme exists while 90% know about breast screening.

"It is vitally important to get the message out that screening saves lives because the number of cases of cervical cancer has dropped dramatically since widespread screening was introduced."

Dr Walker added: "It is extremely important that women understand this difference. If they think the test only detects cancer they may fear to go for regular checks.