As of July 1, women and people with a cervix who are aged between 25 and 49 will now be invited for cervical screening every five years, instead of the previous three, provided their screening result shows they do not have human papillomavirus (HPV).
This change is part of a national initiative by NHS England, bringing England in line with Scotland and Wales.
NHS England introduced the change following recommendations by the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC), improvements in the screening test, and robust scientific evidence.
The cervical screening test, introduced in 2019, detects HPV, the cause of 99.7 per cent of cervical cancers.
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If someone does not have high-risk HPV and does not have a recent history of HPV, they are at a very low risk of cervical cancer and can safely be invited back for screening in five years’ time instead of three.
Research by King’s College London showed that five-yearly screening is as safe as three-yearly.
The same number of cancers will be prevented, and less frequent cervical screening tests will be needed.
Where HPV is detected, or screening history necessitates, more regular patient monitoring will continue.
Fanta Bojang, programme lead for prevention, awareness and screening at the North Central London Cancer Alliance, said: “We want patients to be reassured that there is lots of research showing the move to five-year screening is completely safe.
“This is a positive change that reflects the continuous improvements made to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.”
Screening invitations and reminders will now be sent routinely via the NHS App.
Where this is not possible, a person will be invited by letter sent by post.
More information about cervical screening can be found on the NHS website.