- 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
When you’ll be invited for cervical screening in England:
Age When you’re invited
Under 25 Up to 6 months before you turn 25
25 to 49 Every 3 years
50 to 64 Every 5 years
65 or older Only if 1 of your last 3 tests was abnormal
You’ll be sent an invitation letter in the post when it’s time to book your cervical screening appointment.
- Your letter will tell you where you can go for cervical screening and how to book.
- Most cervical screening is done in a GP surgery by a female nurse or doctor.
- In some parts of England, you may be able to go to a local sexual health clinic instead.
- Call your GP surgery to book an appointment with them. You might be able to book the appointment online.
During cervical screening a small sample of cells is taken from your cervix for testing.
- The test itself should take less than 5 minutes. The whole appointment should take about 10 minutes.
- It’s usually done by a female nurse or doctor.
- Before starting, they should explain what will happen during the test and answer any questions you have.
Your cervical screening results are usually sent to you in a letter.
- Your results letter will explain what was tested for and what your results mean.
- Sometimes you’ll be asked to come back in 3 months to have the test again. This does not mean there’s anything wrong, it’s because the results were unclear. This is sometimes called an inadequate result.
You can find more information including what happens at a cervical screening appointment and what your results mean on the NHS website Cervical Screening