§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the increase in the mortality rate from cervical cancer, he will introduce a national recall system at approximately every three years.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeTotal deaths from cervical cancer have been falling for the past 10 years. The Government are advised on cervical screening by the committee on gynaecological cytology (CGC) — an independent group of expert clinicians working in the field. The CGC's advice, which I have accepted, based on the available evidence, is that women at risk should be screened every five years. The national recall scheme which had been operating since 1966 was found to be ineffective and was replaced last year with local recall schemes.
Mrs. ReneeShort asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women died of cervical cancer in the last year.
§ Mr. John PattenIn England and Wales in 1983 there were 1,959 deaths from cancer of cervix uteri.