Screening change would cut smear test frequency

Women would need far fewer smears if the NHS were to switch to a new way of screening for cervical cancer, says a leading expert.

Good uptake of the HPV vaccine that can prevent the cancer means we can now start to move away from conventional testing, says Professor Peter Sasieni.

Girls who have already had the jab would only need the new type of smear test twice in their lifetime, he says.

Unvaccinated women would halve their number of checks from 12 to six.