Note: Revision (13 August 2010)

There is a systematic error in the calculation of repeat inadequate samples quoted in paragraph 2.3.1 of the 2008-09 Bulletin and similar figures from 2006 onwards, which has resulted in a slightly inflated percentage being published. This issue will be addressed in the 2009-10 publication and where year on year comparison occurs, historic data will be amended.

Summary

This bulletin presents information about the cervical screening programme in England and includes data about the call and re-call system, screening samples examined by pathology labs and referrals to coloposcopy and subsequent treatment and outcome.

Note

There has been a small revision of table 19 within the Surrey & Sussex section as of 19/1/2007.

Key facts

At 10 August 2006

• Over the last ten years the percentage of eligible women who have been screened at least once in the previous 5 years has been declining slightly to 79.5 per cent in 2006 compared with 80.3 per cent last year and 82 per cent in 1996
• Coverage was 80 per cent or higher in 194 of the 303 Primary Care Organisations (PCOs). A drop compared to last year when 207 PCOs reached this level.

2005-06

• 3.6 million women (all ages) were screened, the majority after a formal invitation from the screening programme, a similar amount to 2004/05
• Whilst numbers of women invited (25-64) has dropped from 4.15 to 4.06 million in the last year, a decrease of 2.2 per cent, the numbers of women screened has risen from 3.28 to 3.36 million, an increase of 2.4 per cent
• The percentage of inadequate samples has fallen from just over 9 per cent over the last few years, to the lowest figure recorded: 7.2 per cent, the main reason is likely to be the introduction of Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) as a method of taking samples.