Hello and thanks for your post

The NHS cervical screening programme invites women from age 25 to 64 for cervical screening. They get an invite every 3 years from the age of 25 to 49. After that, they get an invite every 5 years until the age of 64.

Cervical screening stops at 64  because individuals who have no HPV (human papillomavirus) at this time are very unlikely to go on to develop cervical cancer in later years. If a woman’s final 3 screening tests in the 15 years running up to turning 64 have had normal results, then she won’t receive any further invitations. Anyone who has had an abnormal screening result in that time will continue to be invited until they either have 3 tests showing no abnormal cells, or have a clear (negative) HPV test. You can read more about this by clicking here.

Although cervical cancer does occur in older individuals it is often in people who have had no screening, or who have not had enough screening tests in the past.

If you are worried about any gynaecological symptoms in the future, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with your GP. They would examine you, and advise you further. If they thought it was necessary, they would refer you to a gynaecologist for specialist advice.

I hope this helps. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

Celene

Thank you Celene for your reply but I still think the decision has been based on our age and cost-saving.  As it states in the study quote I provided, it is still possible to get cervical cancer until a woman's in her 80s and I am fully aware of the reasons you give as to why the NHS have made this decision to stop at 64 but we should be given the choice on whether to continue with testing or not and that is what I am concerned about.

Hello Lynndm and thanks for getting back

I can appreciate your concerns but i'm afraid we aren't part of the NHS or screening programmes.

As Celene has said screening is carried out in the population most at risk of developing cervical cancer. Anyone who has had abnormal cervical screening up until 65 will continue to monitored until a time the programme thinks they can safely be discontinued, or people over 65 who have never had screening can ask their GP to be tested.

Jo's cervical trust also have information about this here that you may wish to take a look at.

Best wishes

Naomi