13 June 2025
From July, Jersey will follow NHS England and the recommendations from the UK
National Screening Committee, to offer a more personalised cervical screening
service.
The more accurate Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing has enabled this change in
line with major clinical evidence.
Cervical screening detects HPV, these are types of viral infection which are the main
cause of cervical cancer. If HPV is detected, the screening sample will then be
checked for any changes to the cells in the cervix. If caught early, these can be
treated before they turn into cervical cancer.
Since December 2019, all cervical screening samples taken in Jersey have been tested
for high-risk HPV, which is more accurate than the previous method of cytology
testing, known as a ‘smear test’.
From July, younger women and people with a cervix, aged 25 to 49, who test
negative for HPV or who have previously tested negative for HPV and are therefore
known to be at very low risk of cervical cancer over the next 10 years and will safely
be invited by their GP for their free screening appointment at five-year intervals
rather than three. This is in line with major clinical evidence and follows the UK
National Screening Committee’s recommendation.
Those women and people with a cervix whose sample indicates the presence of HPV
or who have a recent history of HPV, which causes nearly all cervical cancers, will
continue to be invited to more frequent screenings to check whether HPV has
cleared and if not, if any cell changes have developed. This approach is already used
for women and those with a cervix aged 50 to 64 and follows robust evidence on
how often those eligible need to be safely screened.
The body often clears the infection itself within 36 months. By testing those who
have tested positive for HPV every year, cell changes can be picked up very quickly. If
abnormal cells are found, the patient will be referred for another examination called
a colposcopy which takes a closer look at the cervix.
Dr Fiona Nelson, Clinical lead for Cervical Screening, said: “Since 2019 all cervical
samples have been tested first for high-risk HPV which is a more accurate test then
previous cytology testing. This change has allowed us to move to a more
personalised programme in Jersey. Cervical cancer is preventable and curable, and
we now have the ability to make the disease a thing of the past. The cervical
screening programme, together with our HPV vaccination programme and
treatment, helps us move towards our goal of eliminating cervical cancer in Jersey.
“The reason we have decided to follow England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland with this
change is because the new test used in cervical screening picks up problems earlier
than the older screening test that was previously used by the programme. Women
and people with a cervix who test negative for HPV are very low risk and those who
have a recent history of HPV will be invited more frequently.
“The HPV test is an objective test which means the sample is not dependent on a
person looking at cells and making a judgment and this means there are fewer
missed cases. The HPV test is very good at picking up if someone has HPV and
because it typically takes 10-15 years for cancer to develop after an HPV infection a
five-year interval for those who are HPV negative is safe.”
The Jersey Screening Board added: "This change aligns Jersey with the latest
evidence-based guidance. HPV testing offers greater accuracy, enabling safer and
more personalised screening. It marks a significant step towards the prevention and
eventual elimination of cervical cancer."
gov.je