From July, younger women (aged 25 to 49) who test negative for HPV, meaning they are at very low risk of cervical cancer over the next 10 years, will safely be invited at 5-year intervals rather than 3, in line with major clinical evidence.
Those whose sample indicates the presence of HPV or who have a recent history of HPV, which causes nearly all cervical cancers, will continue to be invited to more frequent screenings to check HPV has cleared and if not, if any cell changes have developed.
The move follows a recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee, and is the approach already used for women aged 50 to 64 in England.
**** New electronic Cervical Screening invites to be sent via the NHS App ****
The NHS has this week rolled-out digital invitations and reminders for cervical screening via the NHS App, as part of a new ‘ping and book’ service to boost uptake and help save thousands of lives.
Eligible women will first receive a notification through the app to alert them to book a screening appointment, followed by a text message if the app notification isn’t opened. Letters will remain in place for those who need them.
Please could we encourage all patients to download the NHS App and ensure notifications are turned on to receive screening invitations going forward.
**** Transgender and Non-Binary people eligible for Cervical Screening ****
If you are aged 25 to 64 and registered with a GP as male, you will not be automatically invited for cervical screening. However, if you have not had a total hysterectomy and still have a cervix, you should still consider having cervical screening.
This is especially important if you have had any abnormal cervical screening results in the past. If you want to ‘opt in’ to receive routine cervical screening invitations, you can contact a local cervical screening provider, for example your GP or practice nurse, sexual health clinic or transgender health clinic.