Cervical cancer: Eight women develop cancer 'after smear misread'

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The Southern Health Trust has apologised after a major review found that eight women developed cancer due to misread smear tests. The review, which also found that 11 women’s slides had pre-cancerous changes in the cells when reviewed, was trigged by an investigation into the diagnoses of three women. Two of the women have since died. More than 17,000 women were asked to have their smear tests rechecked.

The review uncovered failures over a 13 year period where some screeners underperformed and were not managed properly. A spokesperson for the campaign group Ladies with Letters described what had happened as unforgivable and called for a public inquiry. The review concluded that if the tests had been read correctly, the women could have been diagnosed and treated earlier.

In October 2023, the trust launched a review of cervical screening results of 17,425 women after an independent report found “persistent underperformance” in the work of some laboratory screeners. Out of the four screeners under review, one has been suspended and the other is subject to conditions of practice. Medical director Steve Austin explained that lessons had been learned and that as a result of the review, HPV screening is now in operation and laboratory services have been centralised.

The Royal College of Pathology published a highly critical report in December 2023, which noted a “persistent failure” to address underperformance by some cervical screening staff. It also found that policies for dealing with poor performance were substandard and that the screening laboratory was unsustainable. The Health Minister will decide whether to launch a public inquiry after an independent expert review is undertaken.

Symptoms of cervical cancer include unusual vaginal bleeding, changes to vaginal discharge, and pain during sex or in the lower back, lower tummy or between the hip bones

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

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