Consultation on Cervical Screening

The UK National Screening Committee is currently undertaking a consultation on two areas of the cervical screening programme. These areas are:

  • The age at which screening should start
  • How often screening should be offered for women aged 50-64 years

If you would like to read this consultation document it can be found on the NSC site at: http://www.screening.nhs.uk/cervicalcancer. There is also information here on how you may comment on the proposals.

The consultation closes on 9th August 2012.

 

Cervical Screening Wales Professional Website

Cervical Screening Wales (CSW) was established to ensure that cervical screening is delivered in a consistent manner across Wales, according to national published standards and, in particular, that all eligible women receive the same level of service and quality care for the same level of need. For the first time there is a single cervical screening programme across Wales, with uniform policies, standards and protocols.

CSW is managed, like Breast Test Wales, by Velindre NHS Trust. The service covers the whole of the cervical screening programme provided to women resident in Wales, by both Welsh and English NHS Trusts, including:

  • programme management and coordination
  • call and recall arrangements
  • cervical cytology services
  • cervical histology services
  • colposcopy services

The responsibility for the taking of smears within the programme will remain with general practices and appropriate community and hospital clinics.

Aims of the Cervical Screening Programme

The aim of the cervical screening programme is to reduce the incidence of, and morbidity and mortality from, invasive cervical cancer. However, screening also has the potential to cause both physical and psychological harm to women invited. It is essential that this harm is minimised, so that the benefits of screening outweigh the costs. A balance must be struck between maximising effectiveness and minimising harm.

The Eligible Population

The target age group for cervical screening is women aged 20 to 64.