§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the age distribution of screening examinations for cervical cancer in England and Wales in 1988;
(2) how many women had a first cervical cancer screen in England and Wales in 1988.
§ Mr. FreemanThis information is not available at present. However, we hope to he able to provide figures for 1988–89 towards the end of this year, following the introduction of new cancer screening returns in April 1988.
§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of screening examinations for cervical cancer in 1988.
§ Mr. FreemanThe information is not available in the form requested but following the introduction of a new cancer screening return from April 1988 it is hoped to be able to give details of women screened in 1988–89 towards the end of this year.
In 1987–88, in England and Wales, 4,322,345 cervical cytology cases were examined. A woman who was tested more than once was counted on each occasion, but where more than one smear was taken from the same patient at the same session, they were counted as one test.