1991 cervical screening recommendations: a working group report

The Department of Health and the Cancer Society invited a working group to review the 1985 recommendations on cervical screening. Minor modifications have been made to the earlier recommendations in the light of more information about the effectiveness of different screening policies, and in the expectation that comprehensive cytology registers to ensure recall and follow up of abnormalities will be in place shortly. All women from the age of 20 up to 70 years should be offered cervical screening every three years. Any woman who has never had sexual intercourse or who has had a hysterectomy with complete removal of the cervical epithelium for a benign condition need not be screened. Women should have a second smear within one year if they have never had a smear before or if more than five years have passed since their last smear. But recall through the register should not be more frequently than three yearly for women with a history of normal smears.