Safe to delay colposcopies: New screening advice

GPs might start seeing women on colposcopy waiting lists returning for another HPV test

Most women who are positive for non-16/18 HPV on a cervical screening test can safely delay colposcopy for up to two years, according to updated guidance to apply from 1 February.

The change means that low-risk women with persistent oncogenic HPV infection other than types 16 and 18 at their 12-month follow-up test can have another test at 24 months before referral for colposcopy.