Petition · Department of Health and Social Care

Fund lowering the age for a smear test to 16 years old

Open for signatures 583 signatures

What the petition asks

I would like government to fund the NHS so the minimum age for a smear test is lowered, to prevent women from having cell changes at a younger age leading to cervical cancer or even vulva cancer.
I have had ongoing abnormal smears and cell change since the age of 25, I am now 36 and still being treated for abnormal cells, at 25 I had the highest grade of abnormal cells (CIN3) if I hadn’t had my smear when I did I may not be here now, so I think the age should be lowered as this could prevent women reaching to higher grade cell change. Many young women become sexually active at the age of 16 which puts them at risk of getting HPV which can lead to cell changes, and the wait is far too long to be able to be screened for abnormal cells, this could prevent so many women from getting cervical cancer or even vulva cancer, lowering the age for a smear test could help so many women.

Timeline

3 Mar 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 583
Status Open for signatures
Department Department of Health and Social Care
Opened 3 Mar 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.