Rational care or rationing care? The case of cervical screening across the United Kingdom

Hannah Flynn and Philippa Lewis

Health Policy, 2013, vol. 112, issue 3, 197-201

Abstract: In 2003, The National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) in England modified its recommendation by increasing the age at which to begin screening from 20 to 25. This was on the grounds that normal changes in the cervix before the age of 25 are often identified during screening as being abnormal, resulting in many young women receiving unnecessary treatment at both a significant psychological cost to the patient and a financial cost to the service. In 2011, the cervical screening programme in Northern Ireland was also amended followed closely by Scotland in late 2012. Some 10 years later, Wales finally altered cervical screening policy in January 2013 and now invite women for an initial screen at the age of 25, in line with the rest of the United Kingdom (UK).

Keywords: Cytological screening; Screen*; Vaginal smears; Pap test; Cervix; Cytology; Cervical carcinoma; Cervical neoplasia; CIN; Mortality; Morbidity; 20–24 years; Under 25; Young adult; Wom*; Teenager (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:112:y:2013:i:3:p:197-201

DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2013.06.012

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