Question reference: S4W-29943
- Asked by: Fiona McLeod, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 15 February 2016
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Current status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 23 February 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considered extended screening to include younger women ahead of the introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Answer
Evidence has shown that cervical screening in young women is more likely to pick up normal cell changes than screening in older women. This may result in unnecessary treatment and as such the risks of screening in this age group out-weigh the benefits. In light of this evidence, the Scottish Government did not consider lowering the age of screening before the introduction of the HPV vaccine.
Screening is not alternative to vaccination and all girls who have received the vaccine should continue to take up the offer of screening when they reach the eligible age.