11 - Cervical cancer standards of care

Summary

Introduction

Many of the downward changes in the mortality trend for cervical cancer described in Chapter 1 are attributable to behavioural trends and to the introduction of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. Further reductions in incidence may be seen in future following the introduction of a national human papillomavirus vaccination programme for girls aged 12–13 years of age in September 2008. However, there are still approxi-mately 2900 new cases of cervical cancer a year, of whom about 1000 will die. It is hoped that, by achieving high standards of care for those women diagnosed with cervical cancer, deaths may be further reduced but also that this will bring improvements in women's quality of life, irrespective of whether or not they are curable, at all stages of their treatment pathway.

Multidisciplinary team working

Cervical cancer is now an uncommon disease and may present many complex challenges to clinicians and health workers from a wide variety of clinical specialties. It is now accepted that it is therefore appropriate for all cases of cervical cancer to be managed within a gynaecological oncology multidisciplinary team to ensure the consistent provision of the highest standards of care.

CURRENT STANDARD

All women with a cervical cancer should be referred to a gynaecological oncology multidisciplinary team.