Cervical cancer and human papillomavirus screening in the UK: A cytopathology and histopathology perspective

October 2025

Developing screening techniques and increasing vaccination awareness continue to prove effective in reducing the risk of cervical cancer.

In this article, Dr Duaa Saeed-Chesterman explains the development of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, highlighting its success in reducing cervical cancer rates through human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and vaccination, and outlines plans to harness emerging technologies like molecular triage and digital pathology to work towards NHS England’s target of eradicating cervical cancer by 2040.