Cervical screening recall schedule

The cervical screening recall schedule nationwide has now changed and patients aged 25 – 49 with a negative (normal) smear and HPV test result will now be recalled every five years, rather than every three years.

Those aged 50 and over will continue with the existing five year screening interval.

Why have cervical screening intervals changed?

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes nearly all cervical cancers. We now use a test which is more sensitive and accurate than the previous method to look for HPV. This helps us offer a more personalised approach by finding out who is at higher risk of developing the cervical cell changes that over time, if left untreated, could lead to cervical cancer. This change from three to five yearly screening is backed by robust scientific evidence – studies have shown that if you test negative for HPV you are extremely unlikely to go on to develop cervical cancer within the next 10 years. So now we have this better test, you don’t need to be screened as often if you don’t have HPV.

Will everyone move onto this new five yearly screening pathway automatically?

No. Next test due dates will not be changed retrospectively; you will be invited at the interval in which you were advised of at the time of your last test. Only those who attend cervical screening on or after 1 July 2025, and meet the clinical criteria, will have their next test due date set at five years. NHS England made this decision based on clinical advice from experts.

Those aged 50 to 64 are already invited every 5 years.

So will everyone aged 25-49 move to a five year screening if they now test negative?

No, not everyone. If your test result is negative but your last test (taken within the last five years) showed an HPV positive result, you will still be invited for screening in three years time so that we can continue to monitor your HPV status. If you test negative for HPV at that next test, then you’ll move to five year screening.

What happens if I test positive for HPV?

It’s important to remember that having HPV does not mean that you have or will develop cervical cancer. It is a common virus that most people will have at some point in their life without knowing, which usually goes away on its own. If HPV is found in your sample and there are no cell changes, you are invited for screening again in one year.

If cell changes are found alongside HPV, you are referred directly to a hospital clinic for a colposcopy to check the cervix more closely. Further follow up and treatment will depend on the colposcopy findings.

What happens if I test negative for HPV?

For most people, their screening result is normal, with no HPV detected. Screening results letters for HPV negative samples taken will clearly state the date that your next test will be due, which will be in five years. However, if you test negative for HPV, but have had a positive HPV result within the last five years that has not already been followed up by a negative HPV test, you will be invited for screening in three years. The date of your next test will be stated in your results letter and if this test is negative, you will then be due in five years. This is so that we can make sure you are still HPV negative before you move to the longer interval, having had HPV in the recent past.

I’m currently having treatment following a colposcopy, will I be put on  five yearly screening?

Not immediately. You will be followed up according to the reason for your treatment. Once this is completed successfully you will move to five yearly screening.

I’ve had cervical cancer in the past, will I be put on five yearly screening

Most patients diagnosed with cervical cancer receive follow-up care and monitoring by the hospital cancer team instead of returning to regular screening. Those patients who are diagnosed with very early cervical cancer and remain in the Cervical Screening Programme will go onto five year routine recall once their 10 year follow up is successfully completed.

I’ve never been for cervical screening, even though I am eligible. Will I now move onto a five year recall if I do decide to come for a test?

Yes, if you come for screening and test negative for HPV you will be invited again in five years time.

I haven’t been for screening for a long time, I’m overdue – will I now automatically be screened every five years?

Only those whose most recent test result was reported as HPV negative, and where they have no recent HPV positive history, will move to five yearly screening. If we don’t have an HPV test result for you (because your last screening took place before the NHS started using the HPV test in 2019), your next test due date will remain set at three years until you come for screening, where we can check for HPV. If you missed your last cervical screening, even if it was weeks, months or years ago, book an appointment with us now – it is not too late.

I’ve had an HPV vaccination, do I still need to have cervical screening

Even if you’ve been vaccinated it’s important that you attend your cervical screening appointment when invited because the HPV vaccine doesn’t protect against all strains of HPV.

What happens if I move GP surgery before my next screening appointment is due?

As all cervical screening communications are sent from a central secure database, your information will be updated automatically when you register with a new practice – as long as you are registered, you will get your invitations.

Published: Jul 1, 2025