Thank you very much for contacting me about your concerns on the changes to cervical cancer screening from every three to every five years. I appreciate that this has been a very worrying time.
I understand that Cervical Screening Wales’ basis for extending the time was based on the fact that there are now more sensitive tests which can detect the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is the cause of most cervical cancers. This will only affect those women aged between 25 and 49 if HPV is not found in their next routine cervical screening sample. I have also been told that should HPV be found during the screen, women will be invited back for another test sooner, or referred to other tests. This is in line with the independent advice of the UK National Screening Committee which made the recommendation for the interval change in February 2019, after undertaking a public consultation and has been implemented in Scotland since March 2020.
However, my colleagues and I in the Welsh Conservatives have been deeply disappointed by the chaotic communication between Public Health Wales over the changes and how this will affect cervical screenings in the future. Public Health Wales has since apologised for not clarifying the changes. It is concerning that communication over what is a serious cancer for many women has been extremely poor, leaving countless in limbo and worried about their next screening.
Given the strength of feeling over the changes to cervical screening, my colleague, the Shadow Health Minister, Russell George MS, has written to the Minister for Health and Social Services.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.