Page last updated: 30-JUN-2009

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 1988/1989 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.

In May 2007, following a review of local call recall arrangements in Scotland, a new national IT system, the Scottish Cervical Call Recall System (SCCRS), was introduced across NHS Scotland.

Statistical Publication Notice : Cervical Screening.

Key facts

At 31st March 2008:

  • Of eligible women, 69.7% had been screened for cervical cancer in the previous 3.5 years and 77.9% in the previous 5.5 years. These rates have declined over the last 10 years from 81.7% and 87.0% respectively at 31st March 2003.

In 2007-08:

  • Over 373,300 cervical smears were processed within the programme, a drop of approximately 30,000 from last year; of these, 97.2% were satisfactory. Of these smears, approximately 92% had a negative result and just over 3% has some degree of pre-cancerous change.
  • The percentage of unsatisfactory smears has fallen from 7.4% five years ago to 2.8%. The main reason for this is the introduction of Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) as a method of taking samples.
  • Uptake rates continued to fall in almost all age groups, with the lowest uptake in the youngest age bands. The Scottish Cervical Screening Programme is working collaboratively with NHS Boards to develop a strategy to improve the uptake of cervical screening.


Tables and charts

IMPORTANT: The following tables and charts are based on the pre-2006 Health Board configuration: NHS Highland does not include Argyll & Bute area and NHS Greater Glasgow does not include Clyde area.

 Annual data:
Link opens in new window Annual uptake data   link to a microsoft excel file [93.5KB] up to 31st March 2008 by NHS Board
     - Link opens in new window Annual workload data link to a microsoft excel file [94.0KB] up to 31st March 2008: number of smears processed, percentage of unsatisfactory smears and results by NHS Laboratory
 Quarterly data:
     -  Link opens in new window Number of smears processed   link to a microsoft excel file [33.5KB] up to 31st March 2008 by NHS Laboratory
     - Link opens in new window Reporting times  link to a microsoft excel file [31.5KB] up to 31st March 2008 by NHS Laboratory
Historical data:
     - Link opens in new window Percentage of unsatisfactory smears by quarter  link to a microsoft excel file [29KB] up to 31st March 2007 by NHS Laboratory
     -  Link opens in new window Smear results by quarter   link to a microsoft excel file [270KB] numbers up to 31st March 2007 by NHS Laboratory
     - Link opens in new window Smear results by quarter   link to a microsoft excel file [291KB] percentages up to 31st March 2007 by NHS Laboratory
     - Link opens in new window Crosstabulation by quarter   link to a microsoft excel file[281KB] of number of smears up to 31st March 2007 by NHS board of residence and NHS board performing analysis
   
Link opens in new window Cervical cancer incidence link to a microsoft excel file [23KB] trends in incidence since the start of the screening programme

 

Cervical screening links

Link opens in new windowCervical cancer statistics : detailed incidence and mortality data, lifetime risk, prevalence and survival statistics.

Link opens in new windowNHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) : general information and publications relating to cervical screening in the UK.

Link opens in new windowCervical Screening - National Overview (November 2003) link to an adobe pdf file [484KB]: report produced by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.

Link opens in new windowNational Services Division (NSD) , which has responsibility for providing the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme.

Link opens in new windowScottish Cervical Call Recall System (SCCRS) - newsletters and FAQs.

Link opens in new windowThe cervical smear test explained : leaflet produced by Health Scotland.


Details of data sources .
 


Main contact: Email Cancer Stats