Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the viability of yearly women’s health check-ups to help prevent the late diagnosis of gynaecological cancers.

No specific assessment has been made. The NHS Long Term Plan sets out the ambition that 75% of people with cancer will be diagnosed at stages 1 and 2 by 2028. On 14 February 2022, the Department will launch the ‘Help us help you’ cervical screening campaign to raise awareness of the risks of cervical cancer and highlight the preventative benefits of screening. The campaign will also remind people to book an appointment with their general practitioner practice or local sexual health clinic if they missed their last screening.

A best practice timed pathway for gynaecological cancers is scheduled for publication shortly. This will support shortened diagnosis pathways, reduce variation, improve patient experience of care and meet the faster diagnosis standard.