Cervical screenings at lowest level for 12 years
THE number of women attending screening for cervical cancer has reached its lowest levels for 12 years, it has been revealed.
Latest figures from the annual cervical screening statistics in Wales has found that 76.1% of eligible women went for screening – a drop from 77% last year.
Hywel Dda University Health Board, which covers areas of west Wales, had the lowest uptake in 2017/18 at 74.2%, falling from 75.5% last year.
This compares to Powys Teaching Health Board which has the highest uptake of 78.2%, but this was still worse than the 79.5% recorded last year.
The biggest decline overall was among 25 to 29-year-olds, falling from 74.5% to 72.6%
In Wales, women aged 25 to 49 years old are now invited every three years for screening, and women aged 50 to 64 years old are invited every five years.
Cervical screening aims to prevent cancer from developing in the cervix at the neck of the womb.
Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “I’m disappointed to see cervical screening attendance in Wales has declined once again and has dropped across every age group. It is now at the lowest level in 12 years.
“If we don’t act now, we will sadly see more cervical cancer diagnoses and families losing loved ones to the disease.
“Cervical screening protects against 75% of all cervical cancers from developing so it is a really important test and a huge concern that attendance continues to fall.
“We know there are many reasons why women don’t attend including physical, cultural, social and literary barriers.
“We also know that access is a growing factor with more and more women struggling to get appointments.”
Cervical screening, also known as a smear test, is a free NHS test that is carried out at your GP surgery or at some sexual health clinics.
The test is quick and simple and should not be painful, but can be uncomfortable for some women.
Despite the decline in uptake, Public Health Wales says it has seen significant improvements in the speed at which test results are given.
According to the report, test results were issued within two weeks of a smear being taken in almost 55% of cases – up from 36% in the previous year.
And 95% of results were issued within four weeks, meeting the four-week target.
Louise Dunk, head of programme for Cervical Screening Wales, said: “Waiting for the results of a smear test can be a worrying time for some women, so it’s good to see an increase in test results returned within two weeks.
“Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer in women under the age of 35. Smear tests can save lives by detecting any pre-cancerous changes early when treatment is more effective.
“We want to improve uptake as a programme. I would encourage all women to attend screening when invited, and read their information leaflet carefully to make an informed choice about whether to take advantage of this free NHS service.
“Although a smear test can be uncomfortable, anyone who is worried about it can talk to their practice nurse as there are things she can do to help.”
Laboratories examined around 142,000 samples on Welsh women in 2017/18.
In September 2018, Wales became the first UK nation to fully adopt high-risk HPV testing as the first test done on every cervical screening sample.
This new way of testing has been proven to be a more reliable and sensitive method to help prevent women from developing cervical cancer.