The government has ruled that 25 should remain the age at which women start screening for cervical cancer in England, after a review by an independent advisory committee. But GPs will be given guidance to improve the management of young women with gynaecological symptoms.

The Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening agreed unanimously that the screening age should not be lowered, because evidence shows that earlier screening could do more harm than good. There has been a high profile campaign to reduce the screening age to 20 after the death of the reality television star …