§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations and information he has received about virus-related cancer of the cervix which spreads very quickly in young women and the survival chances of such women; whether he has any new proposals on the matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFor some years there has been growing speculation by experts in this field that virus-induced changes in the cervix may underline the development of many cases of cervical cancer. We are advised on the most appropriate pattern of cervical cancer 445W screening by the committee on gynaecological cytology whose members are distinguished experts in the field and are fully aware of the latest scientific views about the aetiology of the disease. The advice of the committee on screening of women under 35 remains that any woman who is or has been sexually active should have a first cervical smear when she first presents for contraceptive advice and thereafter at ages 20, 25 and 30.
We will continue to follow closely scientific debate on the nature and incidence of the disease. Any policy on screening must of course reflect the fact that 94 per cent. of all deaths are of women aged over 35. However, some of our critics mistakenly suggest that our policies discourage screening of younger women which, as I have indicated, is not so.