Cervical Cancer (policy currently in consultation)
The UK NSC policy on Cervical Cancer screening in women
More Information
The cervix is the lower part (or neck) of the womb, made of muscle tissue. It is the entrance to the womb from the vagina. Cancer of the cervix is a relatively rare type of cancer. In the UK, approximately 2,800 women are diagnosed with it each year.
Image © Clinical Skills Ltd and provided courtesy of Cancerbackup.
» Read more about cervical cancer on NHS Choices
» Read more about cervical cancer on Cancerbackup
Policy Position
Screening is recommended by the UK NSC.
Current policy review
What is currently being reviewed is not the policy on whether to screen for cervical cancer but the age of first invitation and the frequency of invitation for women aged between 50-64 years. Both of these currently vary across the UK.
Please note that the 2 files under "related documents" at the bottom of this page should be read in conjunction with the expert review document.
This policy is currently being reviewed as part of the UK NSC's regular review cycle of all policies.
The review process began in May 2012 and is estimated to be completed by Dec 2012.
» Download the expert review for Cervical Cancer (PDF document, 200KB)
The UK NSC welcomes comments and feedback on the expert review during the consultation period that lasts from 10 May 12 until 9 Aug 12. Please send comments to Anne Mackie
When replying to a consultation, please state whether you are happy for your views to be made public on the UK NSC website or whether you would prefer them to be seen by UK NSC members only. We will assume comments can be published on the website unless told otherwise.
Evidence Supporting the Policy
Benefit of cervical screening at different ages: evidence from the UK audit of screening histories. Sasieni P, Adams J, Cuzick J. (Cancer Research UK). Br J Cancer. 2003 Jul 7;89(1):88-93.
Effectiveness of cervical screening with age: population based case-control study of prospectively recorded data. Sasieni P, Castanon A and Cuzick J. BMJ 2009;339:b2968
Perinatal mortality and other severe adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: meta-analysis. Arbyn M, Kyrgiou M, Simoens C, Raifu AO, Koliopoulos G, Martin-Hirsch P, Prendiville W, Paraskevaidis E. BMJ 2008 Sep 18;337:a1284.
Stakeholders
The British Association for Cancer Research
British Association of Surgical Oncology
Cancer Research UK
Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust
Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Royal College of Surgeons
The stakeholder groups will be involved when the policy is next reviewed. If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.
Related documents
Appendix 1: Welsh discussion paper on cervical screening policy (PDF document, 638KB, 10/05/12)Comparison of screening from age 20 and age 25 (PowerPoint presentation, 119KB, 10/05/12)
