The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) has released data related to cervical screening, which has revealed that one in every five women has not got herself screened for the cancer in the previous five years despite being eligible for the same.

The report says that the figures have remained just akin to those released in the past decade, with no major difference. However, a little improvement was noticed in the coverage for women, aged between 25 and 49 years.

It has been found that though lower than the average, the coverage was at 73.5%, which is above 71.7% noted in 2002. Also, the number of women of ages 25-64 years screened minimum at once in the past five years was lower than the average.

But, the negative part lied in the fact that 78.6% was less than the 81.6%, which had been realized in the year 2002. Besides, coverage amongst older women of ages 50 to 64 years had dropped slightly. As of March 31 2012, it was at 77.8%, while if compared, the coverage was at 78% in 2011 and in 2002, at 81%.

HSCIC Chief Executive Tim Straughan says, "Today's figures provide invaluable information about cervical screening in England - as without good quality information it is impossible to clearly measure the reach of such a vital programme".