Ludo Thierry

Despite the massive bandwidth being occupied (understandably) by the Covid 19 developments NHS Scotland is continuing to introduce improved systems and therapies as these become available across the whole gamut of healthcare issues. The most welcome introduction of an improved screening procedure for Cervical smear tests got some media coverage at the weekend but was easy to miss in amongst the Covid 19 headlines. Link and snippet from news.gov.scot below:

https://news.gov.scot/news/smear-test-to-screen-for-hpv

Improved test to prevent cervical cancer.

Cervical screening tests will now also screen for the human papillomavirus (HPV) – the main cause of cervical cancer.

From Monday, 16 March, those going for cervical screening, also known as the smear test, will receive a more sensitive test which will screen for HPV and help ensure cell changes are identified and treated earlier.

The new test is more effective at identifying those at risk of developing cervical cancer meaning women who don’t have HPV will be invited for a cervical screening test every five years instead of every three.

Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood said:

“Introducing HPV testing as part of the main smear test will improve health outcomes for women and ultimately save more lives.

“The way the test is carried out will not change – so it’s important women still attend their cervical screening appointment when invited. It is normal to feel anxious, but going for your test is the best way of preventing cervical cancer.

“It is important that those who have been vaccinated for HPV still go for screening. This is because the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cancer. It’s the combination of the HPV vaccination and cervical screening that should eventually wipe out cervical cancer in Scotland.

“Women who are found to have HPV will be closely monitored and treated if required, meaning HPV is extremely unlikely to develop into cervical cancer.”