Cervical Screening Participation Declines in Brighton and Hove

The participation rate for cervical screening among women in Brighton and Hove has decreased, a trend consistent with national patterns. Specifically within Brighton and Hove, under half of women aged 25 to 49 who receive invitations for testing are accepting the opportunity. Cervical screening, also referred to as a smear test, aims to identify abnormal cells that possess the potential to progress into cancer. Councillor Faiza Baghoth, who is also a medical doctor, informed the Local Democracy Reporting Service that women cited concerns about pain and the prospect of an uncomfortable experience as factors for not accepting screening invitations. She stated: “I know that normally there would be no pain and very little at all discomfort.” Between 2010 and 2023, Brighton and Hove has experienced a decreasing trend in screening participation across all demographic groups, though this reduction is more significant among women aged 25 to 49. Notably, attendance for screening is lower among women residing in north and central Brighton. The participation rate in these areas stands at 46.9%, contrasting with 72% recorded in West Hove. In 2010, 72.4% of women aged 25 to 49 underwent screening. By 2023, this figure had fallen to 59.2%. For the 50 to 64 age bracket, the decrease in participation was less significant, showing a reduction from 76.7% in 2010 to 72.8% in 2023. Within this particular age group, the Preston Park community registered the highest attendance, and across all localities, over 65% of older women had participated in screening. The uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among younger individuals has not yet returned to the levels observed prior to covid-19. The NHS has collaborated with the Clare Project, an organization that offers support to trans, non-binary, gender-variant, and gender-questioning individuals, to provide guidance regarding cervical screening. This guidance emphasized that individuals who have changed their gender should ensure their GP practice is informed to prevent them from “fall out of the automated system”. For updates, follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.