This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68893905
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Cervical cancer: Smear tests of 3,000 women to be reviewed | Cervical cancer: Smear tests of 3,000 women to be reviewed |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Smear tests, or cervical screening, checks the health of the cervix | Smear tests, or cervical screening, checks the health of the cervix |
More than 3,000 women who are impacted by the southern health trust's cervical smear review and have had a recent smear test, are to have their previous slides re-checked. | |
According to the trust, this move is not out of concern but to provide extra assurance to a group of affected women. | According to the trust, this move is not out of concern but to provide extra assurance to a group of affected women. |
Letters were sent to homes this week. | Letters were sent to homes this week. |
The trust said these women have had a recent smear test as part of the cervical smear screening programme and received the result. | The trust said these women have had a recent smear test as part of the cervical smear screening programme and received the result. |
It added it recognised the anxiety the review had caused and as a result of feedback from women affected it had agreed to their request to review old slides as part of the process. | It added it recognised the anxiety the review had caused and as a result of feedback from women affected it had agreed to their request to review old slides as part of the process. |
In letters, seen by BBC News NI, women have been advised of this decision. | In letters, seen by BBC News NI, women have been advised of this decision. |
The women had previously been told this would not happen as they had attended for a routine smear and their latest result would provide the most accurate assessment of their current risk of cervical abnormalities which may develop into cancer. | The women had previously been told this would not happen as they had attended for a routine smear and their latest result would provide the most accurate assessment of their current risk of cervical abnormalities which may develop into cancer. |
'Provide maximum reassurance' | 'Provide maximum reassurance' |
Dr Stephen Austin, Southern Trust medical director, said the additional work would likely extend the overall slide review process "by only a matter of weeks" because of support from other trust laboratories. | Dr Stephen Austin, Southern Trust medical director, said the additional work would likely extend the overall slide review process "by only a matter of weeks" because of support from other trust laboratories. |
It is expected that work on the additional phase will begin after the main review has been completed and will be finished by the end of the summer. | It is expected that work on the additional phase will begin after the main review has been completed and will be finished by the end of the summer. |
In 2023, BBC News NI revealed about 17,500 women in the area had received letters informing them their smear tests would be rechecked. | In 2023, BBC News NI revealed about 17,500 women in the area had received letters informing them their smear tests would be rechecked. |
According to the trust "progress is being made" with 61% (about 10,700) of cases reviewed. | According to the trust "progress is being made" with 61% (about 10,700) of cases reviewed. |
While a "small number" of cases had identified "minor abnormalities" and required further testing, the trust said this was to be expected. | While a "small number" of cases had identified "minor abnormalities" and required further testing, the trust said this was to be expected. |
To date no cases of cancer have been identified but trust officials warn the review is not complete. | To date no cases of cancer have been identified but trust officials warn the review is not complete. |
The Southern Trust and Public Health Agency (PHA) urged women to continue to come forward for their smear tests when invited. | The Southern Trust and Public Health Agency (PHA) urged women to continue to come forward for their smear tests when invited. |
Primary HPV screening | Primary HPV screening |
In December 2023, Northern Ireland introduced primary HPV cervical screening. | In December 2023, Northern Ireland introduced primary HPV cervical screening. |
It checks for an infection called human papillomavirus (HPV) - the cause of most cervical cancers. | It checks for an infection called human papillomavirus (HPV) - the cause of most cervical cancers. |
High-risk HPV can cause cervical cells to become abnormal and potentially develop into cancer over time. | High-risk HPV can cause cervical cells to become abnormal and potentially develop into cancer over time. |
Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are linked to high-risk HPV. | Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are linked to high-risk HPV. |
This newer HPV test is regarded as a better indicator than cytology of identifying who is a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. | This newer HPV test is regarded as a better indicator than cytology of identifying who is a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. |
17,500 cervical smear tests to be re-checked | 17,500 cervical smear tests to be re-checked |
Third of smear tests checked under review | Third of smear tests checked under review |
'I have right to know about my smear test review' | 'I have right to know about my smear test review' |
HPV is a common virus, and, in most cases, it will be cleared by the body's immune system and have no adverse health impact. | HPV is a common virus, and, in most cases, it will be cleared by the body's immune system and have no adverse health impact. |
It is only when the virus persists, that it can cause cell changes in the cervix which, with time, can develop into cancer. | It is only when the virus persists, that it can cause cell changes in the cervix which, with time, can develop into cancer. |
The trust and PHA say it is important to emphasise again that cervical screening is not a diagnostic test. | The trust and PHA say it is important to emphasise again that cervical screening is not a diagnostic test. |
It is for people without symptoms and aims to detect early changes which could go on to develop into cervical cancer if left untreated. | It is for people without symptoms and aims to detect early changes which could go on to develop into cervical cancer if left untreated. |
Anyone with symptoms should always seek advice from their GP. | Anyone with symptoms should always seek advice from their GP. |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
NI Health | NI Health |
Smear tests | Smear tests |
Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland |
HPV | HPV |
Cervical cancer | Cervical cancer |