11 June 2025
Amber’s Legacy – Our Response to the Recent NHS Announcement
From July, NHS England will extend the cervical screening interval for women aged 25 to 49 who test negative for HPV, moving from every 3 years to every 5. This decision is based on strong clinical evidence that those who test negative for HPV are at very low risk of developing cervical cancer.
At Amber’s Legacy, we remain committed to educating and raising awareness about cervical cancer. While we acknowledge the advancements in the HPV vaccine and the positive impact it has had in reducing the number of women at risk, we also recognise that not every woman falls into this low-risk category.
We believe cervical screening is a vital, life-saving tool and would prefer to see smear tests remain at a 3-year interval. However, we understand that this change is informed by significant clinical progress, including improvements in vaccination and screening accuracy.
📢 New research from NHS England has shown that the HPV vaccination programme is helping prevent the highest number of cervical cancer cases in the most deprived groups—a vital step forward, as these groups tend to experience higher rates of cervical cancer. The findings show that the vaccine is reaching people from all backgrounds and helping to reduce inequalities in health outcomes.
Back in 2021, the same research team, led by Professor Peter Sasieni, found that offering the HPV vaccine to girls aged 12–13 prevents nearly 9 in 10 cases of cervical cancer. While concerns previously existed about differing uptake across communities, this latest data shows encouraging progress in bridging that gap.
At Amber’s Legacy, we urge everyone to learn more about the HPV virus, the importance of vaccination, and the life-saving role of screening. We offer a range of informative leaflets and a comprehensive free downloadable book on our website:
And if you’ve missed your last smear test – please don’t delay. Book with your GP today.
Together, we can continue the fight against cervical cancer. 💛
