Worry after more than 50,000 women in Cambridgeshire miss smear tests

More than 50,000 women in Cambridgeshire have missed smear tests, as screening rates drop to their lowest level in six years.

New figures show that 52,153 women aged between 24 and 64 were not up to date with cervical cancer screening at the end of March last year.

Just 71 per cent of women in this age group were up to date with screening last year, the lowest rate since comparable figures began in 2013.

Cancer charities said falling attendance rates coupled with rising diagnoses were “an enormous worry”.

According to the NHS website, one in three women are skipping cervical screenings out of embarrassment.

The national target is for 80 per cent of women to be up to date with screening. No local authority in England has hit that target for the past two years.

In Cambridgeshire, just 68.2 per cent of those aged 25 to 49 were up to date with cervical cancer tests. This age group are invited for tests every three years.

This was the lowest rate in six years, down from 68.6 per cent in March 2017 and 71.3 per cent in March 2013.

For those aged between 50 and 64, who are invited for tests every five years, 77 per cent of women in Cambridgeshire were up to date at the end of  March 2018 - again, the lowest rate in six years.

Public Health England has launched a major new campaign, ‘Cervical Screening Saves Lives’, to increase the number of women attending their cervical screening.

The campaign will encourage women to respond to their cervical screening invitation letter, and if they missed their last screening, to book an appointment at their GP practice.

Across England, at the end of March 2018, the percentage of eligible women (aged 25 to 64) who were recorded as screened adequately within the specified period was 71.4 per cent.

This compares with 72.0 per cent at 31 March 2017 and is the fourth consecutive year that coverage has declined.

Just 61.1 per cent of women aged 25 to 29 are up to date with tests, the lowest rate for any age group, and the lowest rate for 10 years for this group. This was followed by 68.8 per cent for those aged 30 to 34, also a 10 year low.

For those aged 35 to 39, 71 per cent were up to date, and for those aged 40 to 44, it was 72.9 per cent - both 17 year lows, while only 73.3 per cent of those aged between 45 and 49 were up to date, a 13 year low.

For those aged between 50 and 64, screening rates are the worst they’ve been since records began in 1995.

The new PHE campaign provides practical information about how to make the test more comfortable and gives reassurance to women, who may be fearful of finding out they have cancer, that screening is not a test for cancer.

Regular screening, which only takes a few minutes, can help stop cervical cancer before it starts, as the test identifies potentially harmful cells before they become cancerous and ensures women get the right treatment as soon as possible.

Paula Jackson, Consultant in Public Health – Screening &Immunisations, said: “There are many women who may have not responded to their screening letters or who may have missed a previous appointment.

“I want to appeal to these women and urge you to arrange a screen as soon as possible. Regular screening means that cancer is usually detected early, which means that the cancer is often much more treatable and the outcomes for women are much better

“There are a number of ways to make the experience of being screened more comfortable. The nurses who take the samples  are trained and experienced in how to make your test comfortable so talk to them and remember you could take a friend or family member with you for morale support.

“We all lead busy lives and sometimes a kind reminder from a friend or family member can make all the difference as to whether things get done or not.

"I want to ask everyone who has a woman in their life to help make those reminders and encourage those you know to attend for their cervical screening, it could save their life.”