Let's talk cervical screening
This content is intended for patients in UK and Ireland only.
Prioritise your cervical health
We want to open up the conversation about cervical screening – also known as the smear test - providing honest views and relevant advice to help you take control of your cervical health and make an informed decision when booking your appointment.
How to book your cervical screening
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Let's talk cervical screening
Cervical screening is a free health check available on the NHS throughout the UK.1 You might have heard the terms “smear test”, “pap test”, “pap smear”, or “HPV primary screening”,2 cervical screening checks the health of the cervix, the opening to your womb from your vagina.3
It’s one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. It’s not a test for cervical cancer but can help to prevent the disease.3
Cervical screening checks for high-risk types of a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV).3,5 High-risk types of HPV can cause abnormal changes to the cells in your cervix, which if left untreated, might turn into cervical cancer over time.3,5
So, what’s the story with HPV?
Finding high-risk HPV early – by booking cervical screening when invited – means you can be monitored for abnormal cell changes, and treated if needs be, before they potentially turn into cervical cancer.4
You can get HPV from any kind of sexual contact, whether penetrative or not.4,5
It’s a very common virus and nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about4.
Over 80% of people will get HPV at some point in their lives.4,5
- More than 100 types of HPV have been identified, and in most cases, they’re harmless and your body will get rid of them within a couple of years.6
- However, there are some high-risk HPV types known to cause health problems such as cancer.3
- Most HPV infections have no symptoms, and the immune system often clears them without them doing the body any harm. This means many people have likely had HPV without knowing, and you may not realise whether you or your partner has it.6
Who’s eligible for cervical screening?
Cervical screening is for women and people with a cervix (including trans men, non-binary and intersex people), from the ages of 25 years to 64 years old.7
- In the UK, you’ll automatically get a letter in the post from the NHS inviting you to make a cervical screening appointment.
- If you are registered as a male with your GP and have a cervix, you won’t automatically get invited.7
- You may get your first invite up to six months before you turn 25 years old.7
Cervical screening is still important:
- If you haven’t had sex before. This is because high-risk types of HPV, the main cause of cervical cancer, can be passed on by any sort of sexual contact, not just penetrative sex.4
- Even if you haven’t had sex for a long time. HPV can stay in our bodies for many years, sometimes without us knowing about it, known as ‘dormant’.4,6 However, HPV that was dormant can become active again and start to cause cervical cell changes.6
- If you’ve only had one sexual partner. You can get high-risk HPV the first time you’re sexually active,4 so do still book your cervical screening appointment when it’s time to.
- If you’re in an LGBTQI+ relationship. Anyone who has ever had any sexual contact with another person - regardless of your sexual orientation - is at risk of getting HPV.4,8
- If you are going through menopause. It is vital to continue attending cervical screening, even during and after the menopause if under 64 years of age.7
How to book your cervical screening
Additional resources to support you make an informed decision.
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Let’s talk about cervical screening - or the 'smear test' - and listen to people who have recently been through the experience to hear their thoughts about what it was really like for them
Let's talk about what actually happens
Cervical screening only takes a few minutes:1
- You’ll have a private space to undress from the waist down, usually behind a curtain. If you are wearing a dress or loose clothing, you can leave them on and just take off your underwear.
- You’ll be asked to lie down on an examination bed and given a paper sheet to cover the lower half of your body. You can either lie on your back or on your left side.
- A speculum, usually a cylinder with a round end, is gently inserted into your vagina. This might feel a little uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful; if it is tell the person taking the test.
- Once inside your vagina, the speculum will be slowly opened so your cervix can be seen.
- A sample of cells will be taken from your cervix using a small, soft brush. This may feel a bit strange, but should not be painful.
- The brush and speculum will be removed from your vagina, you’ll be given a private space to get dressed again, and the next steps about receiving your results will be explained to you.
Top tips and advice
Let’s talk about preparing for your cervical screening appointment.
It’s natural to feel nervous about attending your cervical screening, so we’ve got some top tips from people who’ve been there:
- Most people can continue their day as usual after cervical screening. You may experience some light bleeding (spotting) for a day after the examination4, so it can be useful to wear a sanitary pad or panty-liner
- While pain killers are not generally required, some people report mild discomfort for a few hours after having their cervical screening.3 If that’s you, feel free to take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel that would help3
How to book your cervical screening
Additional resources to support you make an informed decision.
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Let's talk about booking your cervical screening appointment
When you receive an invitation letter from the NHS in the post, you can make a cervical screening appointment by contacting your GP surgery over the phone, or sometimes online.1 In some areas, you can choose to contact your local sexual health clinic to book.1
To book your cervical screening, find your nearest GP and make an appointment.
Remember!
If you move house, be sure to contact your GP surgery to update your contact details so your NHS invitation letter arrives at the correct address.
Let’s talk about when you’ll receive your results and the next steps
You’ll usually be sent your cervical screening results by post within four weeks of your appointment. If you don’t get a letter from the NHS within the timeframe given to you at your appointment, you may want to ring up. Dependent on your results and where you live in the UK, you’ll be asked to:2,5
- Have further tests
- Come back for cervical screening in 1 year
- Come back for cervical screening in 3 years
- Come back for cervical screening in 5 years
The majority of cervical screening results come back as normal. Even if you are given an unexpected result, it may not mean it is cancer.6
How to book your cervical screening
To book your cervical screening, find your nearest GP and make an appointment.
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Let’s talk about finding additional resources to support you make an informed decision about cervical screening
Getting comfortable with cervical screening starts with education, HPV awareness, and access to resources that can help you be proactive about your cervical health.
Swipe or scroll below to visit the many different organisations from around the UK and the valuable information they offer.
How to book your cervical screening
Additional resources to support you make an informed decision.
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