Cervical Screening (smear test)

Cervical screening (smear test) is a method of examining cells from the cervix in order to detect abnormalities that might become cancerous in the future. A sample of cells is taken from the cervix and placed in liquid so that it can be analysed in the laboratory. This is called liquid based cytology (LBC). The results of screening allow changes in the cells of the cervix to be monitored. Screening can detect pre-cancerous/abnormal cells and the detection and successful treatment of these cells can often prevent the occurrence of cancer. These abnormalities in the cells of the cervix are generally caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).

Remember, cervical screening is NOT a test for cancer. Instead it is a screening test to detect abnormalities (pre-cancer) at an early stage in the cells in the cervix.

Around 1,000 women die of cervical cancer in UK each year [1]. Regular cervical screening provides a high degree of protection against developing cervical cancer and is offered free on the NHS. It is estimated that early detection and treatment through cervical screening can prevents up to 75% of cervical cancers from developing in the UK [2]. Not going for cervical screening is one of the biggest risk factors for developing cervical cancer.
 

 

References

  1. Cancer Research UK website: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/cervix/mortality/. Accessed 26.02.2010.
  2. Sasieni PD et al. (1996) Estimating the efficacy of screening by auditing smear histories of women with and without cervical cancer. The National Co-ordinating Network for Cervical Screening Working Group. British Journal of Cancer, 73 (8), 1001-5.

 

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