Welsh Government
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
Changes to cervical screening in Wales announced
The Wales Screening Committee has considered and endorsed the UK National Screening Committee (NSC) recommendations published last December to change the age that women receive their first invitation for cervical screening from 20 to 25, following a review of the latest evidence surrounding cervical screening.
The expert groups also advised that women over 50, who are routinely called for screening, should be invited every 5 years rather than the current 3 yearly recall system.
Lesley Griffiths said:
“Cervical screening has proven to be an effective method of detecting cancer at the earliest opportunity. Across the UK, cervical screening saves around 5,000 lives and prevents 8 out of 10 cancers from developing.
“In Wales, we consider all guidance on screening programmes from the UK National Screening Committee and the Wales Screening Committee. Their recommendations, as experts in the field, are based on the best available evidence.
“Their recommendation to update the way we deliver cervical screening in Wales will bring the Welsh programme in line with current practice in England and Northern Ireland.”
Dr Ruth Hussey, Chief Medical Officer for Wales said:
“This is a positive service improvement for women. Any screening programme should ensure that the benefit of taking part outweighs the risks.
“Cervical cancer in women under 25 is extremely rare and usually picked up through the onset of symptoms rather than the screening programme.“Latest evidence shows that most abnormal smear test results in this age group will clear up of their own accord. Therefore, screening women under the age of 25 may lead to a significant number of having unnecessary treatment and worry.”
The cervical screening programme in Wales (Cervical Screening Wales) is delivered by Public Health Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government. Cervical Screening Wales will start to implement these changes to its service during 2013.
