Quarterly update of the number of cervical smears processed, average reporting times and results of smear tests at: www.isdscotland.org/cervical_screening

Summary:

• The total number of smears processed for April to June 2006 was 104,420 compared with 103,094 in the quarter ending March 2006, amounting to a 1% increase in cases. Compared to the same quarter in 2005/06 (quarter ending 30 June 2005) there is a decrease in cases of 4%.
• Average reporting time in Scotland is 13 days, which is slightly higher than the previous quarter. This varies across Scotland from 3 days in Fife to 22 days in Forth Valley. Reporting times have increased in 6 of the 10 boards.
• The percentage of unsatisfactory smears is 2.3% which is slightly higher than the previous quarter (2.1%) but is the same as the corresponding quarter in 2005/06. The percentages range from 1.5% in Grampian to 3.0% in Lanarkshire.
• The percentage of satisfactory smears reported as negative is 92.4% which is similar to the previous quarter (93.0%). The percentages range from 90.5% in Greater Glasgow to 95.6% in Tayside.
• A new method of processing smears was introduced during the financial 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. Consequently there has been an overall reduction in the number of smears processed since the introduction of LBC.

National Services Division is responsible for monitoring the success of the Cervical Cancer Screening Programme. The data released are held by ISD on behalf of NSD. The data are posted only on the ISD website.

Main Contact:
Fiona Campbell
Principal Statistician
Tel: 0131 275 6125
Email: Fiona.Campbell@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

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Glossary:
Cytology: the study of cells
Dyskaryosis: cell changes
Cervical smear: a test which detects abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix and enables affected women to have early treatment
Adeno-carcinoma: a type of malignant tumour
Liquid based cytology (LBC): a method of assessing cell changes

Pre-release preview access to this release was given to:
Carol Colquhoun & Isabel Gavin (National Services Division/NSS)
Jocelyn Imrie (Consultant Cytopathologist, NHS Lanarkshire)
Fergus Millan & Zak Tuk (Scottish Executive Health Department)