Cervical screening is one of the best ways of protecting yourself from Cervical Cancer.
Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina. It is not a test for cancer, it is a test to help prevent cancer.
- All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should go for regular cervical screening
- You will be invited to an appointment by letter and it is important that you attend.
- During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix.
- The sample is checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. These are called “high risk” types of HPV.
- If these types of HPV are not found, you do not need any further tests.
- If these types of HPV are found, the sample is then checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix. These can then be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
- You’ll get your results by letter, usually in about 2 weeks after your appointment. It will explain what happens next.
Contact your GP surgery online or by phone if you think you are due to have cervical screening but have not been sent an invitation.
If you are worried about symptoms of cervical cancer such as:
- bleeding between periods, during or after sex, or after you have been through the menopause
- unusual vaginal discharge
Contact your surgery, do not wait for your next cervical screening appointment
You can find about more about cervical screening and watch a short video explaining the cervical screening procedure here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/