WIREDGOV

The review, carried out by the independent Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening (ACCS) reported concern that young women who present to their GPs with cervical cancer symptoms are not always being given appropriate advice and have recommended immediate action in this area including:

·        New guidance on the management of young women with gynaecological symptoms and an audit of young women diagnosed with cervical cancer.
·        An awareness campaign for GPs and practice nurses.
·        An audit of all young women diagnosed with cervical cancer looking at their symptoms prior to diagnosis.
·        Expand work to increase screening uptake in women aged 25 to 34.

The ACCS also agreed unanimously for no change in the screening age as evidence showed that earlier screening could do more harm than good causing too many false positives and increase the risk of premature births in some women.

Health Minister Ann Keen said:

“In the past few months I have met with a number of young women who have cervical cancer. I have listened carefully and I am determined to make sure that our policy is in their best interests.

“That is why I asked the ACCS to carry out a review into the cervical screening age because I wanted to make sure that our guidelines are based on the latest available clinical evidence.

“They have concluded that the screening age should not be lowered but have recommended that we do more work around the treatment of symptomatic patients. I fully support this conclusion and look forward to beginning this important new work to ensure women with cervical cancer are diagnosed at the earliest possible opportunity.

“There has been a big public debate about this issue and a great deal of publicity about the causes and symptoms of cervical cancer. Together we can build on this work to help even more women across the country to take steps to prevent the disease and to identify symptoms early and save lives.”

ACCS Chairman Professor Henry Kitchener said:

“The Committee were unanimous in their decision not to lower the screening age below 25.

“This decision was taken because scientific evidence shows that screening women in this age group can do more harm than good.

“However we are concerned that young women with gynaecological symptoms are not always being given the right advice from their GPs and we will ask the Department of Health to take action.”

 National Director for Cancer Professor Mike Richards said:

“The ACCS has done a very through job and I thank them for their work and fully agree with their recommendations.

“Importantly The ACCS has identified the need for urgent action on young women who present to their GPs with gynaecological symptoms. We know that early diagnosis is key to improving survival chances.

“We will develop guidance to support GPs and practice nurses so that young women with cervical cancer are diagnosed at the earliest opportunity.”

The ACCS will now consider ways to improve the way symptomatic patients are treated, with a particular focus on women under 25 and then make further recommendations to the Department of Health.