Charities encourage more people to be screened for cervical cancer
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Fewer Barnet residents completed cervical screenings last year, according to new figures from NHS England.
In Barnet, 57.3% were screened as of March this year, a fall from 58.7% in 2022.
Of the eligible 50 to 64-year-olds in the area, 9.7% were tested as of this year, a 70.3% decrease from the year before.
Health bosses are urging more women and people with a cervix to take part after the significant drop in screenings.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said it will be difficult for the NHS to achieve its goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040 as screenings continue to drop across England.
NHS England figures show just 60.9% of 133,529 eligible 25 to 64-year-olds in Barnet were adequately screened as of March 31.
This was down from 62.1% the year before, and below the target of 80%.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said it is “incredibly frustrating” to see targets missed for the 19th year in a row.
Martin Hunt, chief executive of the Trust, said: “We understand it can sometimes be difficult to attend for a variety of reasons including work and childcare commitments, anxiety, and misinformation surrounding the test.”
“But these tests are vital. They can prevent cancer.”
Nicola Smith, senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “The cervical screening programme saves thousands of lives every year in the UK by helping to stop the disease in its tracks.”
“We encourage women and people with a cervix, such as trans men and non-binary people assigned female at birth, to take part.”
She suggested people who find cervical screening uncomfortable ask for a longer time slot to speak about any concerns.
Steve Russell, NHS England chief delivery officer and national director for vaccinations and screening, said eliminating cervical cancer in the next two decades is possible, but relies on millions of people coming forward for tests and vaccinations.
He added: “The NHS is doing everything we can to achieve our ambition by making it as easy as possible to make appointments, with the latest figures showing the NHS arranged cervical screening for over 3.4 million women last year.”
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HeadlineJo’s Cervical Cancer Trust: NHS eliminating cervical cancer by 2040 is unrealistic as screening targets missed
Short HeadlineBarnet residents completing fewer cervical cancer screenings
StandfirstNew NHS England figures indicate drop in cervical cancer screenings in Barnet
Fewer Barnet residents completed cervical screenings last year, according to new figures from NHS England.
In Barnet, 57.3% were screened as of March this year, a fall from 58.7% in 2022.
Of the eligible 50 to 64-year-olds in the area, 9.7% were tested as of this year, a 70.3% decrease from the year before.
Health bosses are urging more women and people with a cervix to take part after the significant drop in screenings.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said it will be difficult for the NHS to achieve its goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040 as screenings continue to drop across England.
NHS England figures show just 60.9% of 133,529 eligible 25 to 64-year-olds in Barnet were adequately screened as of March 31.
This was down from 62.1% the year before, and below the target of 80%.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said it is “incredibly frustrating” to see targets missed for the 19th year in a row.
Martin Hunt, chief executive of the Trust, said: “We understand it can sometimes be difficult to attend for a variety of reasons including work and childcare commitments, anxiety, and misinformation surrounding the test.”
“But these tests are vital. They can prevent cancer.”
Nicola Smith, senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “The cervical screening programme saves thousands of lives every year in the UK by helping to stop the disease in its tracks.”
“We encourage women and people with a cervix, such as trans men and non-binary people assigned female at birth, to take part.”
She suggested people who find cervical screening uncomfortable ask for a longer time slot to speak about any concerns.
Steve Russell, NHS England chief delivery officer and national director for vaccinations and screening, said eliminating cervical cancer in the next two decades is possible, but relies on millions of people coming forward for tests and vaccinations.
He added: “The NHS is doing everything we can to achieve our ambition by making it as easy as possible to make appointments, with the latest figures showing the NHS arranged cervical screening for over 3.4 million women last year.”
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