Debate contribution: Cervical Screening Programme: Atherton Report
Debate contribution by Mr Mike Nesbitt on .
- MLA
- Mr Mike Nesbitt
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 18 May 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Question for Urgent Oral Answer
- Heading
- Cervical Screening Programme: Atherton Report
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5548681
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I certainly encourage every woman to go and have their screening when appropriate. However, let us remember that it was screening and not diagnosis. We have now switched cervical cancer screening to human papillomavirus (HPV) screening. That has a success rate of around 90%, as opposed to around 70% to 80% for cytology. Cytology is now the second line for women who test positive in HPV screening.
67 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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