HL Deb 22 June 1976 vol 372 cc291-2

Baroness FISHER of REDNAL asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made on mass screening campaigns for cervical cancer.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

Screening for cervical cancer is available to all women who wish to he tested but special emphasis is placed on screening those who are at highest risk—women aged 35 and over and younger women who have had three or more pregnancies. There has been a steady increase in the number of tests carried out from 229,000 in 1964 to nearly 2,500,000 in 1974 and it is particularly hoped that more women of the older age group will respond. The Health Education Council co-operates closely with health authorities and voluntary bodies in educating women about the need for screening.