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56
Whilst efforts have continued to be made to expand the service
in Wandsworth to help in the diagnosis of cancer of the womb,
the limiting factor in any large-scale expansion is the shortage of
hospital pathologists and trained technicians experienced in the
screening methods. For this reason screening tests were continued
during the first half of the year only, on a limited basis.
In July, 1966, Dr. Anna Frenkiel joined our staff as Senior
Medical Officer and, among other duties, took over responsibility
for this service. Subsequently, we were able to secure the co-operation
of additional hospitals which made it possible to open two new
clinics, one at Balham Welfare Centre and one at William Harvey
Centre at Roehampton. At the end of the year we were able to
provide for up to 160 smears a month to be taken. The service
is now available to all women over 25 years of age, irrespective of
parity, either on individual application for appointment or when
referred by their family doctors. The clinic medical officer takes
a short general and gynaecological history for each patient,
followed by a pelvic examination when cervical and vacinal
smears are taken; when indicated, the breasts are also examined.
The clinics are conducted by medical officers with special
experience in gynaecology and in every case the family doctor
receives a full clinical and gynaecological report. Where the
result of the test is positive, the practitioner concerned is telephoned
so that no delay in arrangements for treatment ensues. Women
attending for screening are notified of the result directly in all negative
cases, but whenever a clinical condition warranting treatment
is found to exist they are advised to see their family doctors.
Some doctors in the area who have a particular interest in this
work have expressed a desire to examine their own patients, but
the majority have readily agreed that their patients should avail
themselves of our clinic services. In addition to the service offered
to the patient, each clinic is open to those general practitioners
who wish to learn the technique of cervical cytology and a number
of doctors have visited our clinics to see the equipment and the
techniques used.