Programme news and press releases

12/12/2012 | HPV Primary Screening Pilot Announced

A new pilot scheme will explore whether human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is viable as a first-line screening method within the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.

01/06/2012 | New study reveals extent of Jade Goody effect on cervical screening

Three years ago, Jade Goody died of cervical cancer. A new study, published today in the Journal of Medical Screening, discusses the effect of her death on cervical screening attendance.

02/03/2012 | Women with cervical cancer diagnosed by screening have a better chance of being cured

Women with cervical cancer diagnosed by screening have a better chance of being cured than those who present with symptoms according to a study published today in the BMJ.

24/11/2011 | Sharp rise in test results sent out to women within two weeks of screening

NHS Cervical Screening Programme statistics released today show a sharp rise in test results sent out to women within two weeks of screening.

28/09/2011 | Research shows introduction of HPV triage will improve programme

New research published today in the British Journal of Cancer shows that the introduction of HPV triage into the NHS Cervical Screening Programme could significantly reduce the number of women sent for more invasive tests.

07/01/2011 | HPV testing from 2011

HPV testing to be included in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme from 2011.

21/10/2010 | Launch of Cervical Screening and Cancer e-Atlas

Trent Cancer Registry and the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) are pleased to announce the release of the new Cervical Screening and Cancer e-Atlas.

22/10/2009 | The latest statistics shows cervical screening numbers have increased

2008-2009 statistics show the number of women having cervical screening has increased to 3.7 million, an increase of 10.5 per cent.

13/07/2009 | Survey reveals black and minority ethnic communities unaware of cervical cancer risk

Women from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups are less sure of their cervical cancer risk than white women, according to a Populus poll commissioned by the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes.

24/06/2009 | Announcement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Ann Keen): "I announced in my Written Ministerial Statement of 13th March 2009 that we had asked the independent Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening (ACCS) to formally review the evidence relating to risks and benefits of cervical screening in women under 25 years, including current evidence regarding incidence and mortality in young women."

24/06/2009 | New cervical cancer campaign

There will be a new drive to ensure GPs spot cervical cancer symptoms earlier in young women and refer patients correctly, Health Minister Ann Keen announced today.

03/03/2008 | Over half a million breast cancers and significant cervical abnormalities detected in two decades

New figures released today, to mark the 20th Anniversary of the NHS Breast and Cervical Screening Programmes, reveal that over 100,000 breast cancers and 400,000 significant cervical abnormalities¹ have been detected since the programmes began in 1988. From that time over 70 million women in England have received potentially life saving cancer screening.

16/07/2004 | Cervical Screening Saves Thousands of Lives

According to research by Julian Peto et al, published in The Lancet (Vol.364: 249-56) on 16 July 2004, up to 5,000 deaths are being prevented each year by the cervical screening programme.

03/05/2004 | The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) confirms that organized cervical screening programmes are effective. If there is quality control of every key step of the entire process, it was estimated that an 80 per cent reduction in mortality could be achieved.

22/10/2003 | Introduction of LBC and change in national policy

Following a recommendation by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), LBC will be introduced across the cervical screening programme in England.

01/07/2003 | Cervical cancer deaths fall below 1000

For the first time ever deaths from cervical cancer have fallen below 1,000 in England. Figures released by National Statistics reveal that in 2002, 927 deaths from cervical cancer were registered.

26/03/2003 | Response to a systematic review of cervical cancer and use of hormonal contraceptives

The results of a systematic review of published data show that the relative risk of cervical cancer increases with increasing duration of oral contraceptive use, (Cervical cancer and use of hormonal contraceptives: a systematic review by Smith JS, Green J et al The Lancet April 5, 2003).

The initial evaluation report of the LBC arm of the English pilot has been submitted to NICE

If NICE recommends its implementation across the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, the Government will fund the introduction of LBC across the NHS in England.

04/03/2002 | Enabling an informed choice to be made about screening

Women, who are hard of hearing, visually impaired or whose first language is not English should not miss out on being able to make a genuinely informed choice about whether or not to accept their invitation for screening.

01/11/2001 | NHS Cervical Screening Programme: The Facts

A leaflet designed to ensure that women are told what screening can and cannot achieve is launched.

20/11/2000 | Learning disabilities project launched