Cervical screening for older women
In Wales, women are invited for cervical smears up to the age of 64. The screening programme stops then because women who have had normal smears up to this time are very unlikely to go on to develop cervical cancer in later years. There is also a chance that very minor changes due to low hormone levels can be found. This can then lead to unnecessary repeat smears and other investigations.
However, some women have had abnormal smears in the past and do need to have smear tests after the age of 64. This is to make sure that they have been properly followed up and that the abnormality does not come back. If this is the case, you will continue to receive invitations for smears.
If you have never had a cervical smear, you should ideally have one, regardless of your age. If you have never been sexually active, you can discuss this with your GP.
Although cervical cancer does occur in older women, it is often in women who have had no smears, or who have not had enough smears in the past. Even if all your past smears were normal, it is very important that you report any unusual bleeding or discharge to your GP.