What we know
What information do we have about the Eastern Board area?
What is the result of this on our health locally?
Policies
What is happening in the Eastern Board area?

The Northern Ireland Cancer Registry reports that in 2001, cancer of the cervix was the twelfth most common cancer in females in Northern Ireland, representing approximately 2% of all female cancers registered. Half of the cases were diagnosed in women below 48 years. Cervical cancer was the twentieth most common cause of cancer death in females.

The rationale for screening is that cervical cancer is a significant cause of death, is more effectively treated at an early stage and can be conducted using ‘smear’ tests at regular intervals. The test itself involves taking material from the cervix that is then examined under a microscope for abnormal changes. If these are found, further investigations will be undertaken. Certain types of abnormal cells are an early warning that cancer may develop. Women with these abnormal cells require further examination to diagnose and treat any developing cancer.

Cervical screening was first encouraged by a national initiative during the 1960s. Most screening smears are negative (approximately 85%). For those which are not, further management may involve an early repeat smear or referral to a specialised colposcopy clinic. Women whose GPs participate in the Northern Ireland Cervical Screening Programme receive an invitation from the Regional Screening Office. A small number of GPs run a separate call/recall scheme independent of the Programme but with the undertaking to invite their women patients at least every five years for a cervical smear.

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In 2004 cancer of the cervix accounted for 17 deaths in the Eastern Board area. The rate of death for cancer of the cervix has been decreasing since 1991. The rates fluctuate from year to year, because of the small numbers of deaths, but the trend is downwards. Once again, this could be due to fewer cases occurring, fewer cases diagnosed, earlier diagnosis leading to better treatment, or a combination of causes. For further information on cervical cancer please refer to the Genito-urinary cancer section of this website.

The coverage of the cervical screening programme has risen steadily over the last number of years. The coverage rate for cervical screening in the Eastern Board area for 2005 was 68%, compared to less than 64% in 1998. While these rates are encouraging, the Eastern Board area has a lower cervical screening coverage than the other Board areas.

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In Northern Ireland all women between the ages of 20 and 65 are invited to attend every five years for a smear test. The best way for a woman to reduce the risk of cancer of the cervix is to ensure that she attends for this test when invited.

In Northern Ireland over half the women who develop cervical cancer have either never had a smear test or their last smear was more than five years ago. In other words, for these women the opportunity to prevent this disease is missed.

The increased coverage of screening due to the Cervical Screening Programme has meant that some groups most at risk from the disease – older women and women from lower socio-economic groups – are being reached to a greater extent than before.

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