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Cervical screening was introduced to the NHS in 1964 and was rolled out as a nationwide programme in 1988. It is not a test for cancer but aims to detect early, pre-cancerous changes in the cervix (neck of the womb), which, untreated, have the potential to become cancerous (malignant).
Between 1967 and 1987 the incidence of cervical cancer in women aged under 35 increased three-fold; however, since the national screening programme was introduced this trend has been reversed (Cancer Research UK 2004).
Around 3000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year but research suggests that the cervical screening programme has saved the lives of around 1000 women per year in the UK (Cancer Research UK 2002).
Pre-cancerous changes can usually be treated simply and effectively and the situation monitored. If the screening programme does detect cervical cancer in a woman it is potentially at an early stage. This increases the chances of cure and the treatment is likely to be less complicated. Early detection and treatment of pre-cancerous abnormalities can prevent around 75% of cancers developing.
Doctors and nurses understand that having a smear can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. We do our best to put you at ease - and reading about the smear test and the screening programme can help you to feel more comfortable. You may be able to talk to female family members and friends about their experiences as well, as it is likely that the majority of them will have had a smear at some point.
You may feel anxious about the results of your smear. The majority of smear results will be normal. If you are recalled for any reason, please remember that it is likely to be due to either minor abnormalities or for technical reasons (for example, not enough cells present on the smear). These are usually straightforward to deal with.
The number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK is relatively small (around 3000 per year) and as with all cancers, the earlier they are detected the more effective treatment can be.
Research projects are helping us to understand whether we can develop screening programmes for the other types gynaecological cancers (such as ovarian cancer). Patient trials have been developed to help this research along and you can find more information on this by clicking here or on the "Gynaecological Cancer Trials" button to the left of this screen.
To get more information on the Cervical Screening Programme, visit the website by clicking here.
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