What are the current guidelines for cervical cancer screening in women aged 25-64 in the UK?

Current guidelines for cervical cancer screening in women aged 25 to 64 years in the United Kingdom:

• The NHS cervical screening programme invites women aged 25 to 64 years for cervical screening to detect precancerous lesions and prevent invasive cervical cancer.
• Screening samples are taken from the transformation zone of the cervix, where most cervical neoplasias originate, using a speculum to visualize the cervix.
• Primary testing is for high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV); if hrHPV is detected, a cytology test is performed to triage further management.
• Women who test negative for hrHPV are returned to routine recall unless they are on specific follow-up pathways.
• Women who test positive for hrHPV but have negative cytology are retested for HPV at 12 months; if still positive at 24 months, referral to colposcopy is made.
• Women with hrHPV positive and abnormal cytology at 12 or 24 months must be referred to colposcopy.
• Screening should be delayed if the woman is menstruating, pregnant, less than 12 weeks post-partum, or has a vaginal infection until treated.
• Healthcare professionals taking samples must be trained and competent, and women should be provided with information to make an informed choice about screening.

These guidelines aim to enable early detection and treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and adenocarcinoma in situ, reducing morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer.

Additionally, HPV vaccination is recommended for girls aged 12–13 years to provide protection against HPV-related cancers and anogenital warts, complementing the screening programme.

Barrier contraception such as condoms is advised to reduce HPV transmission risk, although it does not fully eliminate it.

Limiting the number of sexual partners also reduces HPV exposure risk.

Women with bleeding during sample taking without suspicion of malignancy should have the sample sent to the lab and may need repeat testing; persistent bleeding or post-coital bleeding warrants referral.