Cervical cancer is a cancer that develops in the cervix, which is the opening between the vagina and the womb; it is most common in women aged between 30 and 35 but it can happen to anyone with a cervix of any age. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection from the human papillomavirus (HPV). 

The aim of cervical screening, often referred to as a smear test, is to identify early changes to the cells before they turn into cancer and before any symptoms have developed. It is not a test for cancer; it is a test to help prevent cancer. It is offered to all people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 and the sample taken is checked for certain types of high risk HPV that can cause changes to the cells in the cervix. 

We always hear that, with cancer generally, early diagnosis is crucial and gives the best chance of recovery. With cervical cancer however, cervical screening provides an important opportunity which is not available with many cancers to diagnose before it even develops. What is however crucial is that cervical screening is carried out appropriately and that abnormalities are not missed. 

This is sadly not always the case, with it being reported in Northern Ireland that there have been multiple cases of smear test results being misinterpreted and abnormalities being missed. As a result of this, some women have gone on to developed cancerous and pre-cancerous changes which would have otherwise been avoided.  

This has triggered a review into cervical screening by the Trust in question and it has been found as part of the review that 8 women, whose smear tests were misinterpreted, went on to develop cancer. For these women, they may have been able to receive treatment before cancer developed and avoided the physical and emotional toll of the same. 

A further 11 women’s slides were found to have pre-cancerous changes in the cells and needed to receive treatment. Although the changes appear to have been identified in time, it is incredibly concerning to think that, had the review not taken place, these women would have been oblivious to what was happening in their bodies and these pre-cancerous could have become cancerous.  

The failings are attributed to human error, namely underperformance of cervical screening staff when analysing the samples and the Trust has been criticised by the Royal College of Pathology for a persistent failure to tackle such underperformance. The Trust has put their hands up in respect of the failings and accepted that the failure to identify abnormalities is not good enough. Although it is said that lessons have been learnt, this comes too late for many of the women who have developed cancer which would otherwise have been avoided and some of whom who have sadly passed away.  

Although this particular investigation is in Northern Ireland, the issues with cervical screening analysis can be found throughout the NHS and are likely to be resulting in cases of avoidable cervical cancer elsewhere in the UK. According to Cancer Research, there are 3,256 new cases of cervical cancer each year and it begs the question as to how many of these cases could have been avoided. 

If you or a loved one have been affected by delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer in England or Wales and would like to discuss a potential claim for medical negligence, please contact our experienced team to discuss what we can do to help.