Women’s lives at risk following substantial delay in smear test results

Women in the East of England have been experiencing significant delays when it comes to receiving the results of their cervical screening test, with some waiting six times the two week target.

This has caused many women to feel extremely anxious during this time, and question why the screening process is taking so long.

Women often attend their GP surgery for routine smear tests and the samples are then sent off to laboratories for testing. It has become apparent that staff shortages in these laboratories are being blamed as the cause for the delay.

Dr Michael Eden, the cervical cytology network clinical lead at Cambridge University Hospitals, commented that routine screening was currently taking up to 12 weeks because of “current staff shortages”.

He also added that a new screening system – called human papilloma virus (HPV) primary screening – will be rolled out in 2020, which, he said “will increase regional and national capacity”.
However, many remain concerned about the impact of the current delays on their health, and in particular, if the delayed detection of cancerous cells will mean an exacerbation of any pre-existing condition and an obvious delay in treatment.

Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said it was concerning, before adding that “This [the wait] may cause additional stress and potentially result in delays in treatment commencing for those needing it”.

Sarah Barrett, a member of the Medical Negligence team at Ashtons Legal comments: “A 12 week waiting period for cervical screening results is simply too long and no doubt a worrying time for many. Advice to women remains that you should visit your GP immediately if you are presenting with any symptoms which are a cause for concern.”