Mariella blasts NHS ‘ageism’ as women denied smear testing when they pass 64
SHE’S been outspoken in calling for better support for women going through the menopause.
And now Mariella Frostrup has accused the NHS of ‘ageism’ over its decision not to screen women over the age of 64 for cervical cancer.
The broadcaster, 61, said she had just had her final smear test and believes ‘women’s basic health needs’ are being ignored because more than one in five of cervical cancers are found in women over 65 in the US.
Ms Frostrup, who founded the Menopause Mandate with Davina McCall and Penny Lancaster in 2022, said this is a ‘further women’s health outrage’ which is more to do with ‘ageism than scientific fact’.
‘Today I did my “final” smear test; in the UK over 60 you’re deemed low risk and further tests unnecessary,’ she wrote online.
‘Being curious I wanted to see the data that assumption is based on. So imagine my surprise to discover one in five women diagnosed with cervical cancer in the US are over 65!’
She added: ‘ Not only that, but we’re more likely to die of it if diagnosed later in life. Maybe partly because we’re no longer given routine testing? This is a further women’s health outrage which suggests it’s got much more to do with ageism than scientific fact.’
She said she wanted to start a campaign to raise the age limit for smear tests and said she had no other option but to ‘call it out’.
‘I’d love to get off my soapbox but when women’s basic health needs continue to be ignored and under investigated I’m left with no option but to call it out,’ she said. ‘A campaign beckons so I’d love to hear further thoughts on this?’ she asked her followers.
In the UK, cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 to 64. Those aged 25 to 49 are invited to have a smear test every three years and after that it increases to every five years. Women over 65 are only invited back to have a smear test if they received abnor mal results on their previous test.
The NHS website says: ‘You’ll usually stop being invited for screening once you turn 65. This is because it’s very unlikely that you’ll get cervical cancer.’
Symptoms of the cancer include bleeding between periods, during or after sex, or after you’ve been through the menopause, as well as unusual vaginal discharge.
A health department spokesman said: ‘Individuals can request a screening test even when over the upper limit for routine screening.
‘The independent UK National Screening Committee – made up of clinical experts – considers scientific evidence and makes a decision on age cohorts to ensure a programme does more good than harm. Harms from screening can occur through over-diagnosis.
‘As no screening tests are 100 per cent accurate, people may be given a false positive, which can lead to unnecessary testing or treatment.’
‘Harms can occur from screening’