Women vaccinated against human papilloma virus (HPV) - thought to cause about 99% of cervical cancers - may only need three smear tests in their lifetime, a new study suggests.
Since 2008, the HPV vaccine has been offered to girls aged 11 to 13.
Reported cases of HPV have fallen sharply since then.
A team from Queen Mary University of London found that screenings at age 30, 40 and 55 would offer the same benefit to these young women as the current 12.