Women may only need three smear tests in their lifetime, but only if they have received a cervical cancer jab.
Since 2008, the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine has been offered to girls aged 11 to 13.
HPV is thought to cause about 99 per cent of cervical cancers which is one of the most deadly but most preventable forms of cancer in women.
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.
Prof Peter Sasieni, the lead author of the study, said cutting the number of smear tests for vaccinated women would make sense and save money.
He told the BBC: "These women are far less likely to develop cervical cancer so they don't need such stringent routine checking as those at a higher risk.
"This decision would free up resources for where they are needed most. The change in the screening system is a unique opportunity to reassess how often women are invited for cervical screens during their lifetimes."
The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer and funded by Cancer Research UK, comes ahead of changes being planned to the screening programme in England for 2019 and similar adjustments in Scotland and Wales.
At the moment, labs test for abnormalities in cells taken in a smear test but the new tests will check for the presence of HPV first and only check for abnormal cells if the virus is found.
A Devon doctor is also calling for is calling for boys to receive the HPV vaccine which is currently only given to girls to protect against cancer.
Dr Kirsty Bonney paid privately for her sons Zak, 13 and Finn, 11 to be immunised because the jab can also protect against throat and penile cancers.
She made the decision after working on a chemotherapy unit, where she looked after two young men with HPV-related throat cancers.
She said she wants to see boys "equally protected" with the HPV vaccine rather than risk cancer in later life.
Cervical cancer facts
- Cervical cancer is one of the most deadly but most preventable forms of cancer in women
- It is the most common cancer in women under 35
- Around 3,000 cases are diagnosed every year in the UK and it causes 900 deaths
- Public Health England says almost all the deaths are of older women who did not benefit from the HPV vaccination programme
- Currently 85% of eligible girls are immunised and HPV vaccine rates in England are among the world's highest
- The vaccine could save several hundred lives every year and also provide protection against other cancers and genital warts
- Women aged 25 to 64 are automatically invited for cervical screening, which detects abnormal cell changes in the cervix
Source: Public Health England