The NHS Cervical Screening Programme screens over three and a half million women in England each year. It saves up to 5,000 lives a year and is internationally recognised as a world leader.

 

Cervical screening is the only proven method of detecting cervical cancer early. Early detection of abnormalities is crucial if treatment is to be offered at an early stage. The success of the cervical screening programme in saving lives through early detection of cervical abnormalities is undisputed. Despite this, around one million women in England every year choose not to attend for routine screening, particularly in the 25-34 aged bracket.

 

The process of cervical screening is done by liquid based cytology (LBC), a new method of collecting and preparing cervical samples for examination in the laboratory. This new technology is reducing the number of tests that need to be repeated and also allows women to receive their results faster. LBC will be used across the country by the end of 2008.

 

Key facts

Cervical screening saves approximately 5,000 lives a year

The Cervical Screening Programme is directly responsible for a 42% decrease in incidence of cervical cancer between 1988 and 1997.
Cervical screening is one of the best defences against cervical cancer and can prevent 75% of cancer cases in women who attend regularly.

Almost half of the 3,500 new cases of cervical cancer in the UK occur in women who have never attended for screening.

Who is invited for screening?      

Age	Frequency of screening
25	First invitation
25-49	3 yearly
50-64	5 yearly

Cervical cancer is extremely rare in women under 25. However, any women concerned about her sexual health or cervical cancer should contact her GP or Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic