- Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina.
- It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.
- All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited by letter.
- During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix.
- The sample is tested for changes to the cells of your cervix.
- Finding abnormal changes early means they can be monitored or treated so they do not get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
- You’ll get your results by letter, usually in about 2 weeks.
Please phone your Practice to arrange an appointment.
Cervical screening saves 5000 lives a year. It is not a test for cervical cancer, it is a screening test to detect abnormalities in the cells of the cervix at an early stage.
Please don’t ignore your invitation. It takes just a few minutes and could save your life.
- First time or nervous? tell the nurse/doctor, try to relax and distract your mind
- Worried about discomfort? Ask the nurse/doctor to use a smaller speculum
- Feeling embarrassed? Wear a skirt as you can keep this on during the test
- Don’t want to go alone? Take a friend to wait in the waiting room with you
- Undergone FGM/cutting? Tell the nurse/doctor
- Not sure what to expect? Go to www.jostrust.org.uk or call 0808 802 800
Download or view our smear test guide
Important
Try not to put off cervical screening. It’s one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.
