Cervical Screening
Cervical screening was introduced in Scotland in the 1960s. Although large numbers of women were offered tests, the service at this time was not introduced as a population based programme. In 1978 committees were established by the UK Department of Health and a review was carried out in Scotland resulting in the Strong Report. In 1988/9 NHS Boards and Trusts introduced computerised call/recall systems.
The national cervical screening programme was introduced in Scotland in 1988 with the aim of reducing the incidence of invasive cancer of the cervix. Cervical smears are now offered to eligible women aged 20-60 every three years. Women with an abnormal smear history will continue to be invited for follow-up as appropriate.
Cervical smears can identify pre-cancerous cell changes in women who otherwise have no symptoms; at this stage, any abnormalities can be easily treated, and treatment is usually very effective.
A new method of processing smears was introduced during the screening year 2003/2004. Liquid based cytology (LBC) reduces the rate of unsatisfactory smears and low grade smear results, and therefore the need for repeat smears. There has been a subsequent reduction in the number of smears processed.
Statistical Publication Notice : Cervical Screening.
Key facts
At 31st March 2007:
-
Of eligible women, 76.5% had been screened for cervical cancer in the previous 3.5 years and 82.6% in the previous 5.5 years. These rates, which exclude Lothian, have declined slightly over the last 5 years from 81.7% and 86.5% respectively at 31st March 2002.
In 2006-07:
-
Over 401,700 cervical smears were processed within the programme, of which over 392,200 were satisfactory. Approximately 3.5% had some degree of pre-cancerous change. The percentage of satisfactory smears showing some degree of pre-cancerous change has fluctuated around 3 to 3.5% since 2000.
-
Uptake rates continued to fall in almost all age groups, with the lowest uptake in the youngest age bands.
-
The percentage of unsatisfactory smears has fallen from 8.8% five years ago to 2.4%. The main reason for this is the introduction of Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) as a method of taking samples.
Tables and charts
| Annual data: | |
| - |  Annual screening statistics  [82KB] up to 31st March 2007: uptake, numbers processed, percentage of unsatisfactory smears and results. |
| Quarterly data: | |
| - | Number of smears [21KB] processed. |
| - | Reporting times [23KB]. |
| - | Percentage of unsatisfactory smears [29KB]. |
| - | Smear results [270KB] (numbers). |
| - | Smear results [291KB] (percentages). |
| - | Crosstabulation [281KB] of number of smears by NHS board of residence and NHS board performing analysis. |
| Cervical cancer incidence [23KB]: trends in incidence since the start of the screening programme. |
|
Cervical screening links
Cervical cancer statistics : detailed incidence and mortality data, lifetime risk, prevalence and survival statistics.
NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) : general information and publications relating to cervical screening in the UK.
Cervical Screening - National Overview (November 2003) 
[484KB]: report produced by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.
National Services Division (NSD) , which has responsibility for providing the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme.
Scottish Cervical Call recall System (SCCRS) - newsletters and FAQs.
The cervical smear test explained : leaflet produced by Health Scotland.
Details of data sources .
Cancer Stats
Printer friendly version
