Cervical screening
- In the United Kingdom 1500 women die each year from cervical cancer
- Cervical screening has been estimated to save 1000 lives per year
- Cervical screening has been practised since 1967
- NHS Cervical screening programme was established in 1988
- 4 million women are screened each year
- Women are screened between 25 and 64 years
- 25 - 49 every three years
- 50 - 64 every five years
- Cervical cells obtained by either a smear or brush
- Brush samples are analysed by liquid based cytology
- 1:10 smear tests are abnormal
- Non-neoplastic causes of an abnormal smear include
- Infection
- Presence of blood or mucus
- Inadequate specimen
- Poorly preserved specimen
- Abnormal smears are reported as:
- CIN 1 = Mild dyskariosis
- CIN 2 = Moderate dyskariosis
- CIN 3 = Severe dyskariosis
Bibliography
Mohan S, Ind T. Cervical screening in England and Wales: an
update. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2004; 16:
491-496. |