Over the past 10 years, the proportion of women who are eligible for screening and have had a cervical cancer test in the previous five years fell from 82.5% in 1998 to 78.6% in 2008, data from the NHS Information Centre show.
Fewer women than ever have to have a repeat screen, however, following the introduction of liquid-based cytology (LBC) as a method for taking samples. The use of LBC has cut the number of women needing a repeat test from 300,000 a year to fewer than 100,000.
Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre, said: ‘Our report shows improved cervical screening technology is continuing to reduce the total number of inadequate samples. Thousands fewer women have to have a repeat screening and suffer the anxiety this entails compared to previous years, while the swiftness of test results is also improving.’
tom.moberly@haymarket.com
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Fewer women need repeat cervical screens
Cervical cancer screening rates are falling, but improved technology means fewer women need to have tests repeated, figures have revealed.
