HC Deb 22 October 2001 vol 373 cc30-1W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (1) proportion of deaths from cervical cancer occurred in women(a) over the age of 60 and (b) under the age of 30 years in each year since 1994; [8501]

(2) what percentage of UK women participate in the National PAP Screening Programme, broken down by (a) age 30 or below, (b) age 31 to 50, (c) age 51 to 60, (d) age 61 years or above and (e) ethnic group; [8500]

(3) what proportion of smear tests in England and Wales resulted in women being recalled as a result of inadequate smears in the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [8484]

(4) how many cases of cervical cancer have been diagnosed in women who have had a clear PAP test smear record in every year since 1994.[8483]

Jacqui Smith

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: The number of deaths from cervical cancer since 1994 are shown in the table:

Under 30 (percentage) 30 to 59 (percentage) 60 and over (percentage) All ages
1994 25 (1.9) 505 (36.9) 838 (61.2) 1,369
1995 33 (2.5) 538 (40.2) 768 (57.4) 1,339
1996 28 (2.1) 508 (38.6) 779 (59.2) 1,315
1997 25 (2.0) 494 (40.3) 706 (57.6) 1,225
1998 24 (2.1) 470 (40.6) 664 (57.3) 1,158
1999 24 (2.2) 421 (38.0) 662 (59.8) 1,107
2000 14 (1.3) 437 (39.7) 651 (59.1) 1,102

Source:

Office for National Statistics

The percentage of United Kingdom women participating in the cervical screening programme is shown in the table:

Age range Percentage coverage1
Under 30 66.8
30 to 49 84.9
50 to 59 83.9
60 to 64 77.6
25 to 64 83.0
1 Proportion of women resident who have had a test with a result in the last five years

Source:

Statistical Bulletin—Cervical Screening Programme, England: 1996–97 to 2000–01

Women aged over 64 are invited if their previous two tests were not clear or if they have never been screened. Data by ethnic group are not held centrally.

Year Total number of cervical screening tests Percentage inadequate
1996–97 4,408,908 8.3
1997–98 4,428,938 9.1
1998–99 4,351,670 9.3
1999–2000 4,259,454 9.8
2000–01 4,089,440 9.7

Source:

Statistical Bulletin—Cervical Screening Programme, England: 1996–97 to 2000–01

Information is not held centrally on the number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer who had a clear test record. When a woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer, her screening history and smear slides are reviewed. No screening test is 100 per cent. accurate. Early detection and treatment can prevent 80 to 90 per cent. of cervical cancers developing.