§ Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many repeat cervical smears were taken as a result of inadequate smears in the last year for which figures are available. [77564]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 22 March 1999]: 4.4 million smear tests were taken in 1997–98. 184,111 invitations for repeat smears were issued following an inadequate smear test.
§ Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women died from cervical cancer in the United Kingdom, and what was the percentage of PAP tests falsely diagnosed as positive, in the last year for which figures are available. [77563]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 22 March 1999]: In 1997 there were 1,612 deaths from cervical cancer in the United Kingdom.
The cervical smear test is not a diagnostic test for cancer. It looks for cervical abnormalities which if left undetected and untreated might lead to cervical cancer. Some abnormalities, particularly less serious ones, will disappear without treatment. It is not possible to say 185W how many women who have an abnormal result and subsequent treatment would have gone on to develop cervical cancer.
§ Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated detection rate for cervical cancers of the human papellonavirus test used in conjunction with the PAP test; what trials are taking place within the NHS of HPV testing; and if he will make a statement. [77565]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 22 March 1999]: Research undertaken by the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in 1995 suggests that the PAP test used in conjunction with the human papellonavirus (HPV) test will detect 90 per cent. of cervical abnormalities.
There are a number of trials of HPV testing for cervical abnormalities underway, including the TOMBOLA study funded by the Medical Research Council. These trials are designed to clarify the role of the HPV test within the National Health Service cervical screening programme including an assessment of its specifity (false positive rate).