Annual cervical screening figures revealed
Summary
People between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited for regular cervical screening under the NHS cervical screening programme. This is intended to detect abnormalities within the cervix that could, if undetected and untreated, develop into cervical cancer.
However, findings of people who went to cervical screenings between March 2023 and March 2024 has revealed less people attending than last year.
The report also includes data on the call and recall system, on screening samples examined by pathology laboratories and on subsequent referrals to colposcopy clinics.
Time from screening to receipt of result
In North Yorkshire, most people received their results within the first two weeks following their screening appointment.
- Total letters to those tested: 32,265
- Up to two weeks to receive result: 29,241 (90.63%)
- More than two weeks up to three weeks to receive result: 2,382 (7.38%)
- Over three weeks to receive result: 642 (1.99%)
Results of tests
- Eligible population: 158,922
- Number of individuals screened: 33,272
- Negative results: 95.76%
- Borderline changes: 1.30%
- Low-grade dyskaryosis: 2.01%
- High-grade dyskaryosis (moderate): 0.60%
- High-grade dyskaryosis (severe) or worse: 0.32%
Dyskaryosis is a medical term that refers to abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. It's detected during a cervical screening test, also known as a smear test.
Coverage by age local area
The report shows how many eligible people in North Yorkshire are keeping up with their cervical screening tests based on age and location.
How often should screenings happen?
- Ages 25 to 49: Every 3.5 years.
- Ages 50 to 64: Every 5.5 years.
The numbers for North Yorkshire:
- Ages 25 to 49: Out of 89,712 eligible people, 75.45% were screened.
- Ages 50 to 64: Out of 68,543 eligible people, 78.61% were screened.
- Overall (ages 25 to 64): Of the total 158,255 eligible people, 76.82% were screened on time.
National results summary
- 5.2m women and people with a cervix, aged 25 to 64 were invited for screening, up by 10% from the 2022-23
- However, only 3.25 million went for screening, a decrease of 5.3% on the previous year
- Overall, the total proportion of people adequately screened was largely unchanged (68.8% compared with 68.7% last year), still well below the 80% target set by NHS England.
- Like last year, screening coverage was lower among younger women (aged 25-49), at 66.1%, compared with 50-64-year-olds (74.3%).
- The number of women referred for further testing after screening, increased by 1.8% from the previous year.
Our response
We know from stories women have shared with us that fear of pain, embarrassment, past trauma, or misconceptions about human papillomavirus (a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause genital warts or cancer) can stop them booking a screening appointment. That’s why we want everyone eligible for cervical screening to know that options are open to them to make this process more comfortable.
These include longer appointments to discuss concerns or ask questions beforehand, bringing in a professional or personal chaperone, the health professional using different-sized equipment, and even the type of clothing you can keep on throughout.
Women also told us in our recent research that they want more convenient booking methods and times to fit screening around caring and work responsibilities. We’re pleased NHS England has responded with recent news that they will start issuing screening invites via the NHS App from 2025.
England is among the first countries in the world to set the elimination ambition for cervical cancer within the next two decades.
The World Health Organization considers cervical cancer to be eliminated as a public health problem when there is an incidence rate lower than four per 100,000 women.
Find out more
More information on NHS cervical screening and how to book an appointment is available at www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening.
Read the full report: NHS Cervical Screening Programme, England 2023-2024
What Healthwatch has recommended
Healthwatch England's report "Cervical screening my way", published in September 2024, sets out recommendations for healthcare leaders. It's calls for:
- Solutions to ensure that disability and ethnicity data about people attending screening can be captured, analysed, and published alongside regional and age uptake data in the future.
- High-profile promotion of trusted sources of direct support and information for women.
- Training for admin and screening staff to meet their responsibilities regarding accessible information and adjustments to care.
- More flexible booking methods, appointment times and preferred locations for drop-in clinics.
- Introduction of an NHS-branded trauma card for affected women to bring to appointments.
- Adoption of self-screening as an alternative option offered to all women nationally who would prefer it, subject to the results of NHS-commissioned research on the safety and effectiveness of self-screening.
The Healthwatch report unpacks women's experiences with cervical screening and sets out recommendations for healthcare leaders:
