An expert panel is to review the evidence for cervical cancer screening for women under 25, the government announced today.
The move follows a tabloid newspaper campaign for screening for the 20-24 age group, following reality TV star Jade Goody's diagnosis of terminal cancer.
The expert committee which will carry out the review is chaired by three senior scientists, two of whom who have publicly stated recently there is no justification for lowering the current screening age of 25.
The cancer tsar, Mike Richards, said in February that there was insufficient evidence for lowering the age. "If a woman under the age of 25 has symptoms of cervical cancer than she should go and see her GP and be referred to hospital," he said as the Sun launched its campaign.
Julietta Patnick, director of NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, agreed. "It would be a shame if the Jade Goody effect were to be deflected on to an argument about screening for the under-25s," she said.
"Abnormalities in the cervix are very common in that age group and we think screening at that age would lead to more harm than good."
Richards and Patnick chair the independent advisory committee on cervical screening which will look again at the evidence, along with Professor Henry Kitchener.
Richards said in a statement today that screening at 25 is in line with international World Health Organisation recommendations and supported by leading UK scientists: "However, it is important that we look at any emerging evidence so that we can be sure, and can assure young women, that this is still what is best for their health.
"Early detection and treatment can prevent around 75% of cervical cancers developing in women so we will also look at what more we can do to highlight the importance and benefits of screening."
The health minister, Ann Keen, who has asked for the review, said the NHS programme was recognised as world class. "Cervical screening saves around 4,500 lives every year and we want to ensure that our programme remains in the best interests of young women," she said.
She added that the review would also look at how to raise awareness of the importance of screening and how to encourage more women to take it up.
Dr Lesley Walker of Cancer Research UK said it was vital to review the evidence and ensure the best decisions were being made for women under 25.
"In the meantime, any women under 25 who have symptoms that give cause for concern – like bleeding between periods, pain during sex or an unpleasant discharge – should discuss them with their doctor. While these symptoms may not be due to cervical cancer, it's always better to get them checked out," she said.
A national vaccination programme against the main strains of humanpapilloma virus, a sexually transmitted infection which can trigger cervical cancer, is now being rolled out in schools and should lead to a drop in cases in a decade or more.
