NHS smear change - 5 years instead of 3??

[Newchapter23]

Hi all I hope you don’t mind me posting but I have created a petition against the decision which is being rolled out in July by the NHS England so change smear tests to 5 years instead of 3. I would like to list some strong points into why this change is so important. I hope this helps to show and understand the importance of this petition.

• The HPV test is now the primary screening tool, as it’s more sensitive than previous smear tests at detecting the virus that causes most cervical cancers. that while rare, non-HPV cervical cancers do occur, though they represent a very small percentage. But still a small percentage.

• If high-risk HPV is not found, cervical cells are not examined meaning abnormal cell changes can go undetected if unrelated to HPV. this approach reduces unnecessary interventions and over-treatment but does carry a small risk of missing rare, HPV-negative abnormalities.

• Although rare, documented cases show that cervical cancer can occasionally develop within 3 years of an HPV-negative result.

• The HPV vaccine was only introduced in 2008 and initially offered to girls aged 12–13. Most women currently aged 30–49 were not eligible for the school vaccination program and remain unvaccinated. Recent NHS data confirms that vaccine uptake in this older age group is significantly lower, making regular screening essential for early detection. The current screening change reduces protection for the very group still most at risk

• The HPV vaccine was rolled out in September 2008. Research has shown that the HPV vaccine when provided reduces cervical cancer incidents by up to 90%. However, the current 3-year screening provides extra protection at early detection to the 10% where the chance is not reduced. Screening every 3 years remains an important safety net, particularly for those who were not vaccinated or are in the small percentage for whom the vaccine is less effective

• The change was not widely communicated or consulted on, leaving many people confused. Based on conversations with nurse practitioners and GPs, it appears some were unaware of the screening change

• Some GPs contacted about the change after it was announced were not aware of it, with some even quoting the original rule of screening every 3 years.

• Early cervical cancers and pre-cancerous cell changes don't usually have symptoms. Not everyone diagnosed with cervical cancer will have symptoms. This is why it’s extremely important to keep the cervical smear test to 3 years. There are cases out there where cervical cancer has developed within 3 years of them having a previous clear smear test.

• If you test negative for HPV the risk of developing cervical cancer in the next 10 years is extremely low but not impossible. Even if rare, the risk of missed cases could be life-threatening and deserves thorough public health consideration.

• This is causing extreme health anxiety for women especially for ones who have had previous experiences with pre-cancerous cells or cervical cancer. Unfortunately, this will see an increase in women who will now pay privately to have their smears. This could make things harder for women who can’t afford private tests and feel like they’re being left behind.

• In the 2023–2024 NHS England annual report, only 68.8% of women were screened within the recommended timeframe. Extending the smear test interval could lead to even fewer women attending. Many already delay due to busy lives, meaning a 3-year interval often becomes 4. If the official gap becomes 5 years, missed or postponed appointments could easily turn that into 6 years or more — increasing the risk of late detection. We should be encouraging women to attend, not creating more time between checks.

Please continue to share, repost, and spread the word about this petition. Your support truly makes a difference. Together, we can raise our voices and push for meaningful change.

🔗 www.change.org/stopthesmearchange

I am also trying to speak to anyone who has a story where they feel this change would have resulted in a different outcome. If you have a story or know someone who has please ask them to get in touch or to email [email protected]

As they only test for Hpv now you can do the home tests yourself. That's why people don't go for smears as much now as they just purchase the tests online. I think they should have kept testing the cells as well at the same time.

Worth noting if your smear done after 1.7.25 is HPV negative yet a previous one within the last five years was HPV positive, your next routine smear will be kept at three years and not be moved yet to five yearly.
Practice nurse.

Yes I have seen you can buy these online which seems great! I need to do my research on them as this is something I have learnt in that process 🙂

Well that’s good for if you have tested HPV positive within 5 years you will keep at 3. The worry seems to be from when I have been speaking to women is when all smears have been clear no sign of HPV and then their next routine smear shows CIN3 or a cancer diagnosis. The worry is then with the changes what would happen in 5 years 🙁

It's been 5 years in Scotland for a while.
I had hpv detected one year but it had cleared when I went for a follow up smear 1 year later.

The science has improved for low risk people testing every three years isn’t required anymore. People who are high risk will get screened more regularly.

So I had my last smear in August 2023 and am due my next one in August 2026. Does this mean I won’t actually get it until 2028? Sorry to be dense, but I am wondering when this all begins?

Screening programmes aren't trying to catch rare cases, or indeed every case. They're about managing risk at a population level.

I was going to have an 'at home' HPV test if that does the same thing and go for a smear if it is positive if that is an option.

The cancer research site says this:

The NHS has explained that the shift for 25 to 49-year-olds will not change any current due dates. People will still be invited after the interval they were given at their last test. Then, from 1 July 2025, those whose screening tests show no signs of HPV will have their next test due date set at five years, rather than three.

Signed. Thanks for posting. The nurse doing my smear referred me to colposcopy for unusual appearance and I was diagnosed with HPV-independent Adenocarcinoma In Situ. Those extra two years could make the difference between catching a fast growing condition early or not. As you say, a small percentage of overall cervical cancers maybe but a growing proportion since the vaccine was introduced.

Great news that yours is cleared with you having HPV previously will you now be screened earlier than 5 years?

No, im back on 5 years as I was clear on the follow up smear.

Yes the science has improved especially with the HPV vaccine unfortunately though there are many cases out there where HPV or abnormal cells were not found and by their 3 year routine smear had a cancer diagnosis people are scared that with the new changes this would then be undetectable for 5 years. Small as these cases are they still happen. The people I have spoken to from their stories are really scared by this change which is completely understandable 🙁

Thank you @dementedpixie 🙂

It is an option, absolutely and will statistically be as likely to catch almost the same number of cancers as a smear. But unless you find smears unbearable, I'd suggest that eyes on your cervix does add an extra layer of reassurance - it was visual changes not HPV testing that caught my pre-cancerous changes (though this is rare)

Completely agree but for the small cases where changing to 5 years could mean missing the chance of early detection of cancer we should keep this to 3 years. I understand not everyone will agree with this though and everyone is entitled to their own opinion x

Unfortunately I don’t know that much about the at Home Screen programme it’s something I am really interested in looking into 🙂

Thank you. Yes completely agree I have also seen during my research that the highest age category for cervical cancer is 30-34 many women in this category didn’t get their HPV vaccine unfortunately I am one. I think the vaccine is fantastic and I’m a bit advocate for this but this change still dosnt prefect early detection for rapid growth cases x

Screening programmes aren't put in place to pick up rare cancers or even every cancer though.

We have cervical screening because HPV-related cervical cancer was common and benefitted from early intervention before cancer was present.

It was never to detect rare non-HPV related cancers.

I’m ok with the change, the risk vs benefits seems sound.

I had a +ve HPV quite recently and colposcopy for CIN1 changes. Negative in repeat 12 months later. So I think I’m still on 3 years for a bit but I’m confronting with 5. I’m not far off 50 when it went to every 5 anyway as I understand it.

I do wish the vaccine had existed for my age group though!

You’re right that screening focuses on the most common risks, but even rare cases matter especially when early detection can save lives. It’s shown that smears can pick up on cancers I have spoken to women where they have been diagnosed from a smear with cervical cancer so changing this may result in the diagnosis being at 5 years instead of 3. Many women still aren’t vaccinated and feel this change reduces their safety net. It’s about protecting as many people as possible. I hope you understand my reasoning as I do yours 🙂 x

I hope everything went ok for you 🙂

Yes - but rare cases (of anything) - do not warrant a national screening programme.
The vast majority of cervical cancers are HPV related. The prevalence of HPV infection is now much reduced, and continues to be monitored via the national screening programme. However as fewer cancers that are detected, the programme becomes less cost-effective.
There will have been an incredibly thorough health economic analysis behind this decision - there is a whole committee and a set of well-established principles around screening programme criteria.

I have always done it once a year privately and the cost has gone down so so much. I had a positive high risk Hpv in 2019 and now I do it twice a year. It only costs £75! People find money for Botox and crap but not for what matters. I gladly continue my private tests. please people take some responsibility !