What do you think now England has changed to 5 yearly screens for HPV?

[Spittykityy]

Smears seem a favourite topic on Mumsnet. Now England has changed too to 5 yearly screens for HPV. How do you English ladies feel? Also how do you feel about the fact it's still the old speculum test as opposed to the self test that other countries are now using successfully?

I think the speculum is useful as it gives a visual of the cervix but 5 yearly seems crazy!

As someone who is HPV negative but also had an abnormal smear requiring treatment, it concerns me.

I totally understand why women are concerned about the new time scales for smears.

I did wonder how effective or efficient the 3 year screening has been, possibly why it's been changed?

I think it’s forgetting that the over 35s missed out on the HPV vaccine too. Just feels like another cost cutting exercise. I am over due my current smear as I have breached the 3 years back in February but am currently pregnant so wonder now if it will get pushed even later to the 5 years. Will ask at my 6/8 week check.

What happened to the self swabbing plan? Surely that would be better for everyone in terms of convenience, cost etc

Agree.

I read an article last week stating that cervical cancers quickly are rising in the 35+ age bracket. I can't say im surprised.

I don't have the exact figures but a quick Google would find them for anyone that's curious.

It's terrifying for me as I was too old for the vaccine, I've always been hpv negative, however the 'old style' smear picked up cin3 cells in my 20's.

Cost savings are more important than our age bracket receiving appropriate screening or prevention.

They will likely offer you one at 3months post partum. My smear reminder came whilst pregnant with DD1 and they just said to wait until 12w pp.

I am also in the 35+ bracket who didn't get the vaccine. I've never had an HPV+ result so I'm wondering about paying privately for the vaccine as an added peace of mind?

I saw this and was worried so did a bit of research…
https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/06/10/nhs-england-changes-cervical-screening-to-every-5-years/
the study from Kings College, it was done on women who were mostly unvaccinated which I found reassuring, cos they did it a few years ago before most of the vaccinated ladies joined screening. I suppose on the one hand it saves costs, but if the science says it’s safe then I trust it.

It's been 5 years in Scotland for a while. I never had the vaccine either. I was hpv+ at my last smear but it cleared by my follow up smear 1 year later so im back on the 5 year timescale again

As I understand it they now only test whether you are HPV+ or not first, right? So women who are HPV- will be tested for HPV every 5 years? If you are HPV- then there is no test for abnormal cells any more? I ask because I was HPV- at last smear and am due another, but wonder if there is any point as only have 1 partner. Those that are - and have had abnormal cells in the past - isn’t the policy that this won’t be picked up any longer due to cost vs risk? Happy to be corrected if I’ve interpreted wrongly.

As long as both you and your partner were virgins when you met and neither had any sort of sexual activity previously . Although some still argue HPV can be picked up in other ways but I’m not convinced .
although having the smear done means the nurse could also pick up any other anomalies visible to the eye .
it is worrying for people who will develop cancer without HPV no matter how rare that may be.
you can still have a ‘proper’ smear privately I believe.

My main thought is that it has been badly handled from a communications perspective. I had no idea what to think about it because I haven't seen anything about the rationale, research and risks associated with it. I've now found one short item on the bbc website but little else.

There's so much misinformation and confusion about HPV already. For a major change in screening there should have been higher profile comms for sure.

www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/getting-diagnosed/screening/results

CRUK say it can be dormant and then become active again and I trust them. I think it’s important to go even if you’re married or long term monogamous. I don’t think it happens often otherwise I’m sure we would all be talking with our girlfriends and worrying but it’s important just in case you’re part of that small percent.
My aunt is a widow and she was suddenly HPV positive, her husband passed before her last negative test and she’s not been with anyone since he passed on. Her MIL died of cervical cancer so she was always gonna go to her tests.

@superbrie I agree as I’m living proof. Pregnancy re-activated it for me. I know someone who suffered with a few bad covid infections and then tested + . And menopause can also activate it . Once you’ve got it you will never know if it’s fully cleared or dormant. And you will never know if you’ve got it or not even if your tests have all been negative. As there’s no way of telling . I’ve see a posts on here from women married 30+ years suddenly testing positive . I’ve also seen posts from people who were vaccinated having to have cells removed .

You can always have it done privately if you're worried and it won't cost a fortune if it's only once every 2 or 3 years.

I spoke to my aunt over the weekend and thought I would let you know what she said sorry long message…. Her history was
Part of HPV pilot area
Widowed 2016
Negative 2018
Positive 2023
She was on 5 years already because of her age. She thinks her reactivation was menopause as she had no partners after my uncle died. She had no abnormal cells. Before she she went for her one year recheck in 2024 she spoke to the Eve Appeal and they said not to worry about it coming out of hibernation because sometimes it just happens but for most women once their immune system makes them HPV negative, they stay HPV negative but not to be shocked if you’re part of the small group who don’t stay negative. Its not anything you’ve done wrong, you’re just part of the the unlucky few percent. It’s more common to test positive on your first ever HPV test than on further ones but it does happen which is why they tell you to keep going for your smears even if the first one was HPV negative.
My aunt was really worried but her one year recheck was all good and she’s so relieved but it was a confusing time for her.

I asked her about the 5 year interval and she says that the NHS took years to decide to do HPV primary testing and trial it, so she doesn’t think they would have gone for the 5 year interval for younger women if it wasn’t the right thing to do based on science. She’s not a scientist though, it’s just her experience and her reflecting on what happened. Hope this helps someone

@sameshizz I’m so shocked for myself because I’ve had Covid really badly at least twice but so far still HPV negative. I’ve had friends be negative at a post partum smear too. It seems like there are risk factors like illness and pregnancy but it’s not a sure call that it will reactivate…feels like it’s a combo of factors for an unlucky small group 😕

I hope you’re doing okay now 💐