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47
CERVICAL CYTOLOGY SCREENING SERVICE 1970
Six clinics were held each week at five centres in the Borough, three daytime
and three evening clinics.
Nearly 2,000 (1989) women were screened in our own clinics during the
year. 204 tests were repeated and 7 cases were positive. Several large firms in the
Borough were approached to co-operate in the screening of their female staff.
Where facilities existed, special sessions were held on the firm's premises.
If this was not possible, publicity material was displayed and the Personnel
Officer arranged appointments in our regular clinics.
There has been a good response from those women first tested when the
scheme started in 1966, who were invited to come for a repeat test three years
later.
All those originally tested in 1966 have now had repeats and all those
tested in 1967 have been called.
There are encouraging signs that more older women (over age 35) are
coming forward now. In the fourth quarter of 1970 69% of those screened were
over 35 years and only 31% were under 35. This reverses the previous trend
when more young women came forward.
Our health visitors and clinic doctors have been actively encouraging those
women most at risk of cervical cancer, i.e. those over 35 and in social classes IV
and V to come forward but unfortunately these are still the women most
reluctant to do so.

(Sgd) Dr. M. P. Elman
Senior Medical Officer