Cervical screening in the inner cities: is the opportunistic approach still worthwhile?

Abstract

Since the national call and recall cervical screening programme was set up in 1988, population coverage has improved.1 Geographical differences persist, however, and many inner city areas have a 40-60% response rate.2 Factors associated with low acceptance rates for screening include unemployment, overcrowding, ethnic minority, population mobility, and inaccuracy of the patient registers of family health services authorities.3 Also, women may not perceive themselves to be at risk or may not wish to attend their doctor's surgery or the local clinic. The inner London Borough of Wandsworth has a multicultural population of all social classes. In 1992-3 the uptake of cervical screening was 60%. The Women's Nationwide Cancer Control Campaign (WNCCC) has over 25 years' experience in providing mobile units for both public and workplace screening, which have been shown to improve …