Why do smears stop at 64? Understanding cervical screening guidelines for older women
According to the NHS, women in England are invited for cervical screening until age 64. The common question, "Why do smears stop at 64?", arises because official guidelines suggest that for most women with a history of negative results, the risk of developing cervical cancer significantly declines after this age, making continued routine screening unnecessary. These decisions are made to balance the benefits of screening with potential harms, taking into account long-term health data.