Petition to Keep Cervical Smear Tests Every 3 Years in the UK

We, the undersigned, urge UK health authorities and decision-makers to maintain the current 3-year interval for cervical smear tests (also known as cervical screening or Pap tests) for women and individuals with a cervix, rather than extending this to every 5 years.

Why This Matters
Cervical screening is a vital tool in the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. While the move to extend screening intervals to 5 years is based on broad population data, it fails to reflect the real-life experiences of individuals whose cervical health can change significantly within just a few years.

My Personal Story
I had no symptoms—no abnormal bleeding, no signs of HPV—and yet, through routine cervical screening, I was found to have high-risk HPV and CIN2 (moderate abnormal cell changes). I required LLETZ treatment to remove these precancerous cells.

Had I waited 5 years for my next screening, these changes could have progressed to cervical cancer.

The only reason this was caught in time was because of the 3-year screening schedule.

What I'm Asking For
- Retain cervical screening every 3 years to ensure early detection and save lives.
- Offer individuals the choice to continue screening every 3 years, especially those with a history of HPV, abnormal results, or increased anxiety around their cervical health.
- Acknowledge that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Personal health histories and risk levels must be taken into account.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers—but only if caught early. Extending the screening interval increases the risk of missing early signs in people who may seem healthy but are developing serious changes.
 
Sign this petition to help protect lives through early detection, personal choice, and better-informed care.