25 years on: how the UK NSC has transformed screening for the better
The UK National Screening Committee is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Dr Angela Raffle looks back at its creation and how it has transformed screening for the better.
Dr Angela Raffle has practised as a Consultant in Public Health in Bristol since 1990. Her involvement in local programme delivery for cervical screening began in 1986 whilst she was still in training. Data since 1977 for her Bristol area programme revealed the extent of the barely recognised yet growing overdiagnosis issue within cervical screening. With the support of colleagues in Bristol and nationally, she successfully published on this issue, despite strong opposition from those who regarded this as 'too controversial'. An advocate for honesty and informed consent, Angela has worked part time for the UK National Screening Programmes since it began, combining this with her Bristol-based public health work. In 1997 she was awarded the Skrabanek Prize for contribution to medical ethics.
The UK National Screening Committee is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Dr Angela Raffle looks back at its creation and how it has transformed screening for the better.
Find out about the much improved and updated second edition of the Screening: Evidence and Practice book by Angela Raffle, Anne Mackie and Muir Gray.
Public Health England (PHE) existed to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities. It closed on 30 September 2021 and this blog is no longer updated.
Find out more about the implications for health screening in our Changes ahead for the national screening system blog article.
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