CERVICAL SCREENING
Cervical Screening Programme in Suffolk is part of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes. The aim of the programme is to reduce the number of deaths from cervical cancer. This is achieved by women being offered and attending for regular screening tests. Cervical screening looks for changes in appearance on the cervix, which if left untreated may eventually develop into cancer.
Women are offered cervical screening just before their 25th birthday, and thereafter 3 yearly up to 50. Women between the ages of 50 and 64 are offered cervical screening every 5 years. Most women will attend their GP practice and have the test taken by a practice nurse.
To get the most protection against cervical cancer it is important that women attend for screening when they receive their personal invitation. It is also important that tell their doctor whenever they move, this ensures that the invitation letters go to the correct address.
Why are women under 25 and women over 65 not invited?
Cervical cancer is rare in women under 20. Teenagers' bodies, particularly the cervix, are still developing, which means young women may get an abnormal result when there is nothing wrong. This could lead to unnecessary treatment so screening young women might do more harm than good.
Under the age of 25 years, invasive cancer is extremely rare, but changes in the cervix are common. Although lesions treated in very young women may prevent cancers from developing many years later, the evidence suggests that screening could start at age 25. Lesions that are destined to progress will still be screen-detectable and those that would regress will no longer be a source of anxiety. Younger women will not have to undergo unnecessary investigations and treatments.
Women aged 65 and over who have had three consecutive negative results are taken out of the call recall system. The natural history and progression of cervical cancer means it is highly unlikely that such women will go on to develop the disease. Women aged 65 and over who have never had a test are entitled to one.
Enquiries in the first instance should be to the practice or you can call the Screening team on the following telephone numbers:
01473 329142
01473 329143
01473 329144
01473 329145
01473 329071