Written question WQ93404

The primary cervical screening test looks for the cause of cervical cancer, high-risk strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV), which cause nearly all cervical cancers. This is far more reliable than the previous cytological screening test which looked for cell changes after they had occurred and required more frequent screening appointments.

In line with the expert advice of the UK National Screening Committee, women in Wales aged 25 to 64 are invited for cervical screening every five years if no high-risk HPV is found in their cervical screening sample. The evidence shows that if there is no high-risk HPV found in an individual's sample, they have a very low risk of developing cervical cancer over the next five years.

If HPV is detected, the programme will analyse the sample for cell changes. If no cell changes are detected, these women will be invited in one year for screening to check if the HPV has cleared. If cell changes are identified, these women will be referred for further investigation at colposcopy. Women who have had previous treatment in colposcopy will also be invited annually for a short period.