Cervical screening is available to women and people with a cervix aged 25-64 in England. The first invitation is sent to eligible people around the age of 24.5 years.

HPV testing

HPV primary testing as routine for cervical screening began implementation as a pilot in 2013 and full rollout was achieved in December 2019. Where the HPV virus is detected (a HPV positive result), a cytology test is then performed. If a patient has an abnormal cytology result, they are referred to colposcopy.

HPV is a common virus which, although harmless in most patients, is linked to the development of abnormal cervical cells. If left untreated, these abnormal cells can develop into cervical cancer.

The results of each test are sent to the call/recall department to send to the patient. Results are also sent to the patient's GP or the sample taker (if not the GP). Patients should be notified of their test results in writing within two weeks of the sample being taken.

Screening intervals

• Women aged 25-49 are currently invited for screening every three years. From Tuesday 1 July 2025, routine cervical screening intervals will be extended from three to five years for participants in this age group who test negative after attending screening on or after this date. Next test due dates will not be changed; individuals will be invited at the interval in which they were advised of at the time of their last test.
• Women aged 50-64 years are invited for cervical screening every five years and their screening intervals will remain the same. 
• There will be no change to the clinical pathway for those testing positive for HPV. Where there are no cell changes, they will be invited for screening again in one year. If cell changes are found alongside a positive HPV test, they will be referred directly to a hospital clinic for a colposcopy to check the cervix more closely. An individual will only move onto a five year screening interval after this when they meet the clinical criteria.

Opting out

If a patient wishes to opt out of cervical screening, provide the patient with the GOV.UK leaflet on cervical screening to support them in their decision making.

Opting out involves a patient making an informed choice and requires their signature, so GPs are required to complete the relevant form on the CSAS website. CSAS will send a confirmation email once the form is submitted.

Screening invitations

From June 2025 all eligible people who are registered with a GP (as female) will receive an invitation an invitation and reminder via the NHS App inviting them to make an appointment, along with further information about cervical screening. Appointments are mostly through GP practices.

Practices should encourage patients to download the NHS App and enable notifications. For those for whom a digital invitation isn't possible, a letter will be posted as a backup.

Vaccinated women

The HPV vaccination programme started in 2008. Vaccinated individuals should still consider offers of cervical screening, as the vaccine does not protect against all subtypes of HPV.

Helpful information and resources

• NHS Cervical Screening Administration Service website
• e-Learning for Healthcare primary HPV screening course
• All cervical sample takers should be registered with the pan-London Cervical Sample Taker Database (CSTD). Once registered, you can upload your training and certificates in the Submit Training Record section and this can then be viewed in Your Details. You should also update your record when you complete the update training.
• Sample takers should complete the Cervical Sample Taker Update Training to fulfil the mandatory three-year training requirements.

For more related information, see the Cancer Care Resources section of this website.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

Eligibility criteria for the NHS Cervical Screening Programme is as follows:

• aged 25-49
• aged 50-64
• aged 65+: only those not screened since the age of 50 or who have had recent abnormal tests
• trans men (assigned female at birth) do not receive invitations if registered as male with their GP, but are still entitled to screening if they have a cervix.

Exclusions

• women younger than 25 should not be screened as part of the NHS cervical screening programme
• if a woman younger than 25 presents with symptoms indicative of possible cervical cancer, refer to the GOV.UK guidelines on screening young women.