Important Update on Cervical Screening in England

Starting 1st July 2025, routine cervical screening (smear tests) in England will be offered every 5 years. The age eligibility remains the same: women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64.

You will receive your screening invitation via the NHS App, SMS text, or post, depending on the contact information held by the national screening programme.

Why the NHS Offers Cervical Screening

Cervical screening helps check the health of your cervix and is a key way to prevent cervical cancer. The test looks for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) — a virus that can cause abnormal changes to cells in the cervix, which can lead to cancer if left untreated.

Detecting and treating these changes early can prevent most cases of cervical cancer. While cervical cancer is most common in people under 45, changes can occur at any age.

Cervical screening saves thousands of lives every year in the UK.

Regular screening is important, even if you:

• Have had the HPV vaccine
• Have only had one sexual partner
• Have not had penetrative sex
• Are in a long-term relationship or have not had sex for a long time
• Are lesbian or bisexual
• Are a trans man or non-binary person with a cervix
• Have had a subtotal (partial) hysterectomy that left the cervix intact

If you’ve had a total hysterectomy (removal of the womb and cervix), you no longer need cervical screening

Trans men and non-binary people with a cervix are also eligible for cervical screening. How you’re invited will depend on how your gender is recorded in your GP patient record:

• If you’re listed as female, you’ll receive invitations automatically.
• If not, you can ‘opt in’ to receive routine invitations. You can do this by contacting a cervical screening provider, such as your GP, a sexual health clinic or a transgender health clinic.
  If you’re unsure, contact your GP. For more information, go to www.gov.uk/trans-non-binary-screening.