Goody death led to more screening

Media coverage of celebrity illnesses can have a positive impact on public health by encouraging people to take part in screening.

The finding was made by a team of researchers from the University of Warwick, who examined coverage of the late Big Brother star Jade Goody's treatment for cervical cancer.

The research by the Warwick Medical School investigated the impact on cervical cancer screening.

One author David Metcalfe, said: "Our study suggests that Jade Goody's diagnosis and death led to an increase in the number of people looking for information about cervical cancer and screening."