Cervical screening numbers at 10-year low

The number of women having cervical cancer screening on island has reached its lowest level in a decade.

The data was revealed in Tynwald and shows that 4,404 tests were carried out in 2020-2021 - that's a drop of 749 compared to the previous 12 months.

The number peaked in 2012-2013 which saw 6,293 women undergo screening.

Screening services have been affected by the pandemic from 2020, onwards.

Sandy Denning, from the IOM Anti-Cancer Association said 3,200 cases of cervical cancer are reported every year in the UK.

On the island is about two or three cases a year. 

She is concerned that worries around body image and the actual procedure could be reasons less woman are coming forward.