Cervical screening in Wales extended to every 5 years: Why the switch?

Hi Russell,

Thanks for your question.

Regular cervical screening provides lasting protection against cervical cancer. Research shows that people who have regularly attended cervical screening when invited are very unlikely to develop cervical cancer after 64.

Cervical screening is offered at ages when the benefits are biggest, and the harms are smallest. The balance is not clear for those aged 64 and over, and the risks of screening may be greater.

But remember, screening is for people without symptoms. No matter their age, if someone notices any changes to their body that are unusual for them or don’t go away, they should tell their doctor.

Thanks,
Jacob

Dear Angie,

Thank you for reaching out to us with your query.

The NHS cervical screening programme is offered to those aged 25-64. As part of the screening programme, a sample is taken from the cervix and tested for the virus that causes almost all cases of cervical cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV). If HPV is found, then the sample will also be checked for cell changes and further procedures might be needed if changes are seen.

HPV 16 and 18 are the strains which cause the majority of cervical cancers, but there are at least 12 strains that are high risk for cervical cancer. NHS cervical screening tests for all high risk strains. From your enquiry it seems you may have used a private HPV test, if you are concerned about your results, or would like to discuss attending a NHS screening appointment, then speak to your GP for advice.

If you have found cervical screening painful previously, there are ways to help make it more comfortable. You could discuss with the nurse or doctor about using a different sized speculum (the tool used to see the cervix) or they can help you find a more comfortable position and help you relax. You can also ask your doctor about prescribing a short course of hormone replacement therapy, known as HRT. This prevents vaginal dryness after the menopause which can make cervical screening more comfortable.

If you have any further concerns, you might want to speak to our Cancer Research UK information nurses on 0808 800 4040. You can call them for free Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Best wishes,
Lilly, Cancer Research UK

Dear Zarah,

Thank you for your question.

The change was made after years of research and was recommended by the UK National Screening Committee. They are an independent body that review evidence on screening and advise how screening programmes can be best run with developments in scientific research.

Scotland has already made the change from 3 years to 5 years and England will be changing soon too. The change was recommended because the cervical screening test has improved. Previously, cervical screening tested first for abnormal cells, which if left untreated over a long time can develop into cancer. The test now first looks for human papilloma virus (HPV) that causes the abnormal cells.

As HPV causes virtually all cases of cervical cancer this test is more accurate at identifying those at risk, so screening can be safely offered less often. If someone’s cervical screening result shows they don’t have HPV, they are at a very low risk of developing cervical cancer in the next five years. Evidence showed that a gap of 5 years with HPV primary testing gave more protection against cervical cancer than screening every 3 years with the previous way of testing.

However, please remember that cancer screening is for people who do not have any symptoms. So, if you notice anything that doesn’t feel right speak to your doctor straight away.

Best wishes,
Lilly, Cancer Research UK

Dear Jo,

Thank you for your question.

Regular cervical screening provides lasting protection against cervical cancer. Research shows that people who have regularly attended cervical screening when invited are very unlikely to develop cervical cancer after 64. Cervical screening is offered at ages when the benefits are biggest, and the harms are smallest. The balance is not clear for those aged 64 and over, and the risks of screening may be greater.

But remember, screening is for people without symptoms. No matter your age, if you notice any changes to your body that are unusual for you or don’t go away, tell your doctor.

Best wishes,
Lilly, Cancer Research UK

Hi D Tunney,

Thank you for reaching out to us with your query.

Previously, cervical screening tested for abnormal cells first. The test now first looks for human papilloma virus (HPV) which causes virtually all (99.8%) of cervical cancers. So, if someone’s sample comes back showing they don’t have HPV, they are at a very low risk of developing cervical cancer in the next five years. As having HPV infection comes before abnormal cells developing, there is no need to test cells for abnormal changes if someone does not have HPV.

This is why the National Screening Committee have recommended this change, and projected that it will detect more women with cervical cell changes and save more lives.

Many thanks,
Lilly, Cancer Research UK

Dear C Yates,

Thank you for reaching out to us with your query.

Regular cervical screening provides lasting protection against cervical cancer. Research shows that people who have regularly attended cervical screening when invited are very unlikely to develop cervical cancer after 64. Cervical screening is offered at ages when the benefits are biggest, and the harms are smallest. The balance is not clear for those aged 64 and over, and the risks of screening may be greater.

But remember, screening is for people without symptoms. No matter your age, if you notice any changes to your body that are unusual for you or don’t go away, tell your doctor.

Best wishes,
Lilly, Cancer Research UK

Dear Annette,

Thank you for reaching out to us with your query.

Previously, cervical screening tested for abnormal cells first. The test now first looks for human papilloma virus (HPV) which causes virtually all (99.8%) of cervical cancers. So, if someone’s sample comes back negative for HPV, they are at a very low risk of developing cervical cancer in the next five years. As having HPV infection comes before abnormal cells developing, there is no need to test cells for abnormal changes if someone does not have HPV.

Best wishes,
Lilly, Cancer Research UK

Hi Karen,

Thanks for your comment. England began to implement HPV primary testing in 2019, so it’s possible that your last screening appointment was with the new test. Before this, HPV tests were only done when abnormal cells were found in screening samples. As having HPV infection comes before abnormal cells developing, HPV primary testing detects women at risk of developing cervical cancer at an earlier point and more accurately. This is why the National Screening Committee have recommended this change, and projected that it will detect more women with cervical cell changes and save more lives.

Best wishes,

Katie, Cancer Research UK

Hi Adele,

Thanks for your comment. The new intervals will be implemented from people’s next screening test. So for people who are coming up to their 3 year appointment, their screening test will go ahead as before, but their next one will be in 5 years provided that they are not at high risk of cervical cancer.

Best wishes,

Katie, Cancer Research UK

Hi Claire,

Thanks for your comment. The new test detects who is at higher risk of developing cervical cancer more accurately than the previous test used in cervical screening. This is why the intervals between screening tests can be safely extended for people who are not at high risk. The recommendation for 5 yearly intervals also takes into account the benefits and harms of screening to find the place where they are best balanced for the whole population, allowing screening to benefit the most people. In this case, balancing the reduction in cervical cancer risk with the harms that can arise from things such as further investigations from screening tests.

Best wishes,

Katie, Cancer Research UK