§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the efficacy of the current test for screening for cervical cancer; and what action she is taking to reduce the number of tests which prove negative when cancer is present.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe effectiveness of the "pap" smear test for cervical cancer screening has been demonstrated by experience in Canada, the Grampian region and Nordic countries with noteworthy decreases in the incidence and mortality due to cervical cancer.
The Department advised health authorities in health circular HC(88)1, a copy of which is available in the Library, of the recommendation for a comprehensive education programme to train doctors and nurses in how to take satisfactory smears. In order to ensure that there are continuing improvements in laboratory standards when processing smears, the Department issued guidance on a protocol for a proficiency testing scheme in gynaecological cytopathology for laboratory staff. This advised of the need for regional cytopathology external quality assurance groups and the Department set up a national co-ordinating committee to promote accuracy in reporting smear test results.