Women called back in after review of cervical cancer screening lab

NHS trust in Essex is rescreening 2,500 samples, with 17 women so far needing reassessment after problem with tests

Thousands of cervical smear test samples are being reviewed by an independent screening service after an issue was discovered in a laboratory, an Essex NHS trust has announced.

Basildon and Thurrock NHS Foundation trust said 2,500 samples from cervical cancer tests were being rescreened after a problem with testing was identified in a routine Public Health England quality assurance visit in June 2017. So far, 900 smear test samples have been reviewed, and 17 women have been invited for further assessment. Of those, nine need to be rescreened while eight have been referred for further investigation.

Related: Cervical cancer deaths in over-50s predicted to rise sharply in England – study

Continue reading... February 05, 2018 at 04:02AM