Roll-out of life-saving HPV screening welcomed

HPV (Human papillomavirus) primary screening has been adopted as part of the Cervical Screening Programme in the North.

The "long-promised" adoption has been welcomed by Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan (SDLP).

The provision was due for implementation in 2022/23 as part of the Cancer Recovery Plan ‘Building Back, Rebuilding Better', however, the collapse of the Assembly and uncertainty around departmental funding delayed the delivery of "life-saving HPV screening".  

Mr Durkan said: "I’m delighted to see the long overdue introduction of HPV screening for Northern Ireland. 

“To date cervical screening here has used cytology, however given that the high-risk HPV causes 99.7% of cervical cancers, HPV primary screening is considered the most accurate and sensitive way to determine which women are at high risk of developing cervical cancer. 

“Over the past few years, I've been campaigning, alongside many others to secure the implementation of HPV screening as part of the Cervical Screening Programme. The North was the only jurisdiction across the UK without this provision. The lack of an executive and budget uncertainty delayed this life-saving screening for almost six years. 

“The Department of Health stated in response to my recent query that this screening will help clear the current backlog in reporting smear test results. Currently the Western Trust has among the longest waits with just 20% of patients receiving their smear test results within the target time of 28 days. HPV is a simple diagnostic test with the power to prevent cancerous cells developing, not only will its introduction alleviate anxiety for patients but it will save lives. 

“It's a disgrace that it took so long to deliver, that said, I'm glad it's finally been secured. I'll continue to work to ensure that women impacted by past missed abnormal smear tests who went on to develop cervical cancer, are fully supported.”