Love Your Cervix

 

smear-test-jun2023

The regional Love Your Cervix campaign, launched on 19 June, is aimed at engaging eligible 25–29-year-olds with cervical screening.

The majority will have been offered the HPV vaccination from the age of 12 years old; however, it is still important that vaccinated women attend for their cervical screen. Whilst most cervical cancer is caused by HPV, not all is.

25–29-year-olds, as part of the younger cohort for the screening programme, may also see their cervical screening invitations change from 3 yearly to 5 yearly.

 

Cervical Screening

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.

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, will not need to come for a cervical screening quite so often – every 5 years instead of every 3 years.

This change went live on the 1 July, so a cervical screen taken on or after this date which is HPV negative will result in the next invitation for cervical screening being in 5 years’ time unless previous screening history suggests they should be screened more regularly.

More information about extended screening intervals can be found on NHS Futures collaboration platform.

More information on how to access this platform can be found at NHS England » Futures collaboration platform.

Published: Jul 15, 2025

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