Cervical screening invite changes 1st July 2025

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme saves thousands of lives every year by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix that could develop into cancer, if left untreated.

How often people need to have cervical screening is changing in England from 1st July 2025

Those identified as lower risk won’t need to be screened as frequently, and those at higher risk will continue to be monitored more regularly

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes nearly all cervical cancers

Since December 2019, all cervical screening samples taken in England have been tested for high-risk HPV. It is a more sensitive and accurate test than the previous method and is the best
way to find out who is at higher risk of developing the cell changes that over time could lead to cervical cancer

At the moment, in England, women and people with a cervix aged 25-49 years are routinely invited for screening every 3 years
Now we have this better test for HPV, the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) has recommended that those
testing negative and with no recent history of HPV, won’t need to come for a cervical creening quite so often – every 5 years instead of every 3

If your cervical screening shows you have HPV, you may be invited for more frequent screenings to check HPV has cleared and if not, if any cell changes have developed

This change is strongly backed by robust scientific evidence

Studies have shown that if a person tests negative for HPV they are extremely unlikely to go on to develop cervical cancer within the next 10 years

Research published by King’s College London showed that 5-yearly screening is as safe as 3-yearly; the same number of
cancers will be prevented and less frequent cervical screening tests are needed

This move brings England into line with Scotland and Wales who have introduced this change and with women aged 50 – 64 who are already invited every 5 years

The positive impact of the HPV vaccination is also starting to be seen, with studies in England showing that the HPV vaccine stops 90% of cervical cancer cases

The latest HPV vaccine type introduced in the UK in 2021 is predicted to further reduce cases of women’s cancer and HPV attributable deaths by 16% and 9% compared to
the previous vaccine type

Even if you’ve had the HPV vaccination, it’s important that you attend your cervical screening

Cervical screening saves lives – so make sure you come forward for your screening when you’re invited, even if it was weeks, months or years ago.

If you think you are due but have not yet had an invitation, please contact us