Recall of smear after error on expired bottles

Cervical cancer screening samples from 369 women in Wales were stored in obsolete pots.

The cervical cancer screening in Wales has written to women to tell them about the problem and about half of them will need another smear test.

The program, run by Public Health Wales, is researching the papillomavirus virus, a cancer development factor, in women.

Less than 2% of women screened in Wales between July and October of last year are concerned.

Pap smears are performed in general practices, badual health clinics and hospitals. The sample is placed in a vial containing a preservative fluid and returned to the cervical screening laboratory (Cervical Screening Wales).

Some vials used were found to have pbaded the expiry date of the manufacturer.

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Dr. Sharon Hillier, Director of Testing at Public Health Wales, said, "We sincerely apologize to all the women who will receive a letter from us regarding this issue.

"I can rebadure women that there is no evidence that this problem caused any harm.We have already carefully considered all published results and, to the extent possible, proceeded to a new badysis some samples.

"Anyone who has not received a letter from us has not been identified as being affected by the problem and does not need to be concerned or to contact us."

The incident took place at a time when cervical screening in Wales was setting up HPV testing – screening for the virus that causes almost all cases of cancer cervix.

In Wales, women aged 25 to 49 are invited to a Pap smear every three years. women aged 50 to 64 are invited to attend every five years.

Cervical cancer screening in Wales has invited 210,800 women to screen in 2017-18