Keep cervical screening up to date
HPV testing and cervical cell tests can find precancerous changes that can be treated before cancer develops.
The number, drawn
Why it matters
Persistent infection with certain HPV types can cause cervical cancer. Screening detects the infection or cell changes before symptoms, allowing follow-up and treatment. England now generally invites people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 every 5 years after appropriate negative HPV results; the current final USPSTF guideline uses different ages and test options.
How to do it
- If you have a cervix, check your last result and the due date in your local screening programme.
- In England, follow your invitation; earlier recall may be needed after HPV or a previous abnormal result.
- In the US, the 2018 final USPSTF guideline uses cytology every 3 years at ages 21 to 29, with additional options at ages 30 to 65.
- Attend follow-up after an abnormal result, even if you feel well or have received HPV vaccination.
Eligibility depends on having a cervix and your previous results. A removed cervix, past precancer, immune suppression, pregnancy or symptoms can change the plan; tell the screening service.
Do it
Pick the time you have. Anything beats nothing.
Start with the time you have
1 minute
If screening worries you, pick one thing to ask for: a longer appointment, someone with you, or a smaller speculum.
5 minutes
If you have a cervix, check your invitation or contact your local service to ask whether screening is due and how to book.
15 minutes
Read what happens at the appointment and prepare your comfort requests; tell the service about pregnancy or previous abnormal results.
A plan
Make screening easier to attend
- Confirm your due date and any special follow-up with the service.
- Book and request the support or access arrangements you need.
- At the appointment, ask questions and remember you can stop at any time.
- Read your result and arrange any recommended follow-up.
In real life
- When booking, ask for extra time or a smaller speculum if previous screening was uncomfortable.
- Bring someone for support and tell the nurse that you want to be able to pause or stop.
Watch out for
- Common mistakeMissing an invitation does not mean you must wait for another, so contact the screening service.
- Common mistakeHPV vaccination does not replace screening, so follow the programme if you have a cervix.
Trusted guides
In Belgium
In Belgium (Flanders), the programme covers a smear every 3 years at 25 to 29 and every 5 years at 30 to 64, with no prescription or invitation needed. The lab test is free; you pay the consultation, which is partly refunded.
Centrum voor Kankeropsporing, Bevolkingsonderzoek Vlaanderen checked
In Czechia, women from 15 have a yearly preventive gynaecology check with a smear, no referral needed. An HPV test is covered at ages 35, 45 and 55.
In Germany, statutory insurance covers cervical screening from age 20 with no upper age limit: a yearly Pap test at 20 to 34, then an HPV test plus cytology every 3 years from 35. Insurers write to women aged 20 to 65 every 5 years.
Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss checked
In Spain, cervical screening covers women aged 25 to 65. From 25 to 29, women without adequate HPV vaccination have cytology every 3 years. From 30 to 65, all women have a high-risk HPV test, repeated after five years if negative, with cytology triage if positive.
Ministerio de Sanidad checked
In the Netherlands, women are invited at 30, 35, 40, 50 and 60, and sometimes also at 45, 55 or 65, for example if HPV was found last time. You can use a self-test at home or have a smear at the GP. With symptoms, see your GP without waiting.
Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland checked
In Poland, women aged 25 to 64 can be screened free without a referral: cytology every 3 years or an HPV HR test every 5 years. If the HPV test is positive, liquid-based cytology is done from the same sample.
Ministerstwo Zdrowia checked
In Ukraine, cervical screening starts at 30: a PAP or PCR test at least once between 30 and 35, then every 10 years until 55. Women over 35 who missed it are tested at their first visit. Women living with HIV are tested every 5 years from age 25.
Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Order No. 1368 (official text on zakon.rada.gov.ua) checked
Check usSources
- Evidence grade
- A Meta-analyses of randomised trials, or a major guideline consensus.
- Basis
- USPSTF final screening guideline and NHS 2025 HPV screening pathway
- The number
- Routine cervical screening every 5 years in England (NHS, 2025)
- Outcome
- routine cervical screening interval in England
- Comparison
- Routine recall after an appropriate negative HPV result; exceptions apply
- Tier 1 guidelineCervical Cancer: ScreeningUSPSTF, 2018
- Tier 1 guidelineWhen you will be invited for cervical screeningNHS, 2025
- Tier 1 guidelineCouncil Recommendation on a new EU approach on cancer screeningCouncil of the European Union, 2022
General health information, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. Personalization changes the order of suggestions; it does not assess your medical risks. Follow the cautions and consult a qualified clinician when needed.