(James Gallagher/ BBC News) — Women who have the HPV vaccine may need only one smear test to help prevent cervical cancer in their lifetime, according to a leading scientist.
Women are currently invited for screening every three to five years in the UK.
Prof Peter Sasieni said the vaccine was leading to such dramatic reductions in cancer that the screening programme would need to change soon.
Cancer Research UK urged people to still come for screening when invited.
Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomaviruses – known as HPV. They can damage DNA and start to transform healthy cells into cancerous ones if there is a prolonged infection. (…)