§ Mr. Brightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish a table showing the number of cervical cancer smear tests conducted in each year from 1974 and the proportion of positive results;
(2) if he will publish a table showing the number of positive cervical cancer smear tests recorded in each year from 1974 and the proportion of those so detected who subsequently died.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe available information is given in the table.
Information on the proportion of women with positive smear test results who subsequently die of cervical cancer is not held centrally. Some positive results indicate abnormalities other than cervical cancer or pre-cancer; some are from repeat tests on the same women; and some cancers or pre-cancers would never progress to more advanced stages of the disease. However it has been estimated that up to 80 per cent. of women who die from cervical cancer have never been screened.
Number of smears taken, positive results, results per thousand smears examined and number of deaths, England and Wales Numbers (actual) Year All smears Positive results Positive results per 1,000 smears examined Deaths from malignant neoplasm of the Cervix Uteri (ICD 80) 1974 2,476,000 11,556 4.7 2,068 1975 2,498,000 11,911 4.8 2,143 1976 2,568,000 13,336 5.2 2,206 1977 2,545,000 14,952 5.9 2,145 1978 2,587,000 16,260 6.3 2,153 1979 2,749,000 17,333 6.3 2,087 1980 2,928,000 19,923 6.8 2,068 1981 2,999,000 21,340 7.1 2,107 1982 2,951,000 22,370 7.6 1,932 1983 3,200,000 24,836 7.8 1,959 1984 3,417,000 30,331 8.9 1,899 1985 3,897,000 35,752 9.2 1,957
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the average screening take-up rate for those health authorities which had a cervical cancer call and recall scheme in operation in 1985–86;
(2) what arrangements he has made to monitor the screening take-up rates of cervical cancer call and recall schemes.
564W
§ Mrs. CurrieThe information requested about take-up rate is not yet collected centrally. From 1988 the standard returns completed by health authorities should include information on numbers of women invited for screening, numbers who accept, and the proportion of the at-risk female population who have had a cervical cancer smear test within the last five years.