Latest annual figures on cervical screening show the percentage of individuals being testing in Buckinghamshire fell to its lowest in eight years in 2020-21.
Information on individuals aged 25-64 published today by the NHS shows that in the last year in Buckinghamshire 72.3% of those eligible for a cervical screening were tested, compared to 74.5% the previous year.
A similar trend is evident across the UK.
[CHART: Fall in cervical screening attendance]
It is believed that Covid-19 lockdown measures in early 2020 impacted upon attendance rates despite all individuals eligible for screening receiving an invitation in 2020-21.
Buckinghamshire, at 72.3%, ranked 70th out of 149 regions for attendance rate. No local authorities reached the target 80% coverage, deemed an ‘acceptable level.’
People between the ages of 25-64 are invited for regular cervical screening every three to five years depending on their age under the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. This is intended to detect abnormalities within the cervix that could, if undetected and untreated, develop into cervical cancer.
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