Page last updated: 31-JUL-2007

Cervical Screening


Statistical Publication Notice

31 July 2007

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Scottish Cervical Screening Programme Statistics 2006/2007


INTRODUCTION

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.
 
The current release includes data to 31 March 2007.
 

KEY POINTS

 
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% showed 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.

DETAILED FINDINGS

The percentage of satisfactory smears showing some degree of pre-cancerous change has fluctuated around 3-3.5% since 2000.  This is consistent with statistics on the incidence of cancer of the cervix, which have shown a fairly stable (slightly decreasing) rate since 2000.  Rates of cancer of the cervix have consistently decreased over the last 25 years:  from an age-standardised rate of 14.7 per 100,000 in 1980 to 9.6 in 2004.

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MAIN CONTACTS:

Judith Stark
Senior Information Analyst
TEL: 0131 275 7562
E mail: Judith.Stark@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

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GLOSSARY:

cytology: the study of cells
dyskaryosis: abnormal 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 particular type of malignant tumour arising from glands
liquid based cytology (LBC): a method of assessing cell changes
 

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PRE-RELEASE ACCESS TO THIS PUBLICATION WAS GIVEN TO:

National Services Division
NHS National Services Scotland
QA Adviser to Scottish Cervical Screening Programme
Chief Executives of the Scottish NHS Healthboards
Scottish Executive Health Department
 

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HISTORY OF THIS PUBLICATION:

Last Published:  Annual update, 27th July 2006. Quarterly update, 24th April 2007
Next Due:  Annual update, July 2008. Quarterly update, October 2007
Data Avaliable Since:  April 1999

 

Main contact: Email Judith Stark