Woman dies after being incorrectly excluded from cervical screening

A woman has died after being “incorrectly excluded'' from the cervical cancer screening programme.

The Scottish Parliament heard today an audit by an NHS board in December 2020 had “discovered a very small number of women had developed cervical cancer after being wrongly excluded from the screening programme following a hysterectomy."

Women should still have been screened if part of their cervix was not fully removed.

The Scottish Government confirmed a national review is taking place.

Around 430 women who were wrongly excluded from the Scottish cervical screening programme over the last 24 years are being offered fast-tracked appointments with GP practices or gynaecology services, following an urgent review of cases.

"Heartfelt apologies."

Women’s Health Minister Maree Todd said: “I want to offer my condolences to the family of the woman who we now know died from cervical cancer after being excluded from the screening programme.

"These exclusions from the cervical screening programme should not have happened and I want to apologise to all those affected by this error. I offer my heartfelt apologies in particular to the women who were excluded from the programme who went on to develop cancer, and to their families.

“While some exclusions have been wrongly applied across Scotland, the vast majority will have been applied correctly and additional control measures have been put in place to prevent any new exclusions from being applied incorrectly.

“There is no need for anyone who does not receive a letter to take any action but it remains important for everyone, whether affected by this issue or not, to be alert for symptoms of cervical cancer and contact your GP practice if you have any. Further information on symptoms can be found on NHS inform.”

"Swift action must be taken."

Samantha Dixon, Chief Executive of Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “For those affected this may be an incredibly difficult time and we are here for anyone who needs support through our Helpline. NHS Scotland is acting quickly to contact everyone who may have been wrongly excluded from cervical screening, however swift action must be taken to identify what went wrong and ensure it cannot happen again.

“Cervical screening remains an important test and it’s important that women and people with a cervix, including those who have had a sub-total hysterectomy, continue to have access to it.”

"A key role."

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “We are hugely saddened by the impact this has had on people’s lives. Screening relies on there being an accurate, up-to-date list of those who are eligible so invitations can be sent to the right person at the right time. It’s vital that this situation is learned from and never repeated.

“If you have had a sub-total hysterectomy and are concerned that you’ve not received invitations for cervical screening, please give the helpline number a call.

“Cervical screening plays a key role in preventing cervical cancer, by picking up signs of early cell changes before symptoms have a chance to develop. Anyone who receives an invitation should not let this announcement affect their decision to book or attend their screening appointment.

“It’s important to remember that screening is for people without symptoms so if you have noticed any symptoms that are unusual for you, such as bleeding between periods or after the menopause or changes in your discharge, get in touch with your GP.”

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