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7. CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
This service under Section 28 has developed during the year, 2,203 smears being taken compared
with 1,796 last year.
Cervical cytology facilities are now available at Cherington House, Ravenor Park and Pierrepoint
Road Clinics. Smears are taken by a doctor on the Council's staff and the cytology work is undertaken
by the laboratory staff at King Edward Memorial Hospital. During the year the age limit was lowered
to 25 years to extend the service to all women at risk.
In this year arrangements were made for the Council's team of doctor and nurse to carry out a
screening programme in the medical suite of a large factory in the borough. 310 women were
screened at fortnightly sessions over a period of four months, of whom 2 showed a positive cervical
smear result, requiring further investigation. In addition, 7 women had pelvic masses requiring
surgery, 13 had lumps in the breast, requiring further investigation, and 53 had some form of
vaginitis, the commonest condition being a trichomonal infection. To summarise 1:4 women
required treatment and 1:11 surgical intervention. These findings reveal the extent of pathology to
be found in so called well women of the lower socio economic groups. There is little doubt that by
taking the service to the factory, the women in turn will respond and come forward readily for
screening.
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