Top expert claims the smear tests of today to be phased out
A top cancer expert has claimed smear tests for cervical cancer will eventually be phased out thanks to the HPV preventative jab. Professor Peter Sasieni from Queen Mary University, London, claims cervical cancer will become a rare disease over the next few decades due to the success of a mass vaccination scheme for girls aged 12 or 13. After an initial vaccination, he says in future women would only require two further smear tests, at ages 30 and 45.
ZEST SAYS: Don't be misled into thinking that you no longer need to have your smear test. The jab is only effective if it is given before you become sexually active. It is not a cure and does not protect women who are already sexually active and may already have active HPV cells in their cervix. GP Dr Rob Hicks says it is vitally important that all women continue to attend screening smear tests every three years or as advised. 'In future, the way screening for cervical cancer is done will change and women will need to attend far fewer smear tests. It doesn't change the recommendation that for now women should be screened every three years, beginning at age 20 or 25, depending on where you live.'
