Who cervical screening is for
All women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 should go for regular cervical screening.
You'll be invited for screening every 5 years from when you're 25 to 64 years old. You'll get your first invitation a few months before you turn 25.
You may be invited more regularly if you have HPV.
If you're 65 or older, you'll only be invited if a recent test was abnormal.
Appointments
You'll get an intial invitation from the Central Cervical Screening team through the NHS App, by text or by letter asking you to make an appointment and telling you how to book.
Swanage Medical Practice will also send reminders to patients who have not yet booked their cervical smear test.
At Swanage Medical Practice, we offer a varity of appointments times, including Saturday morning clinics. If you have a mobile phone regisetred with us, we will send you a direct booking link so you can book an appointment using the text link, directly into one of our cervical smear appointment slots. Alternatively you can telephone us on 01929 475104 or call into the surgery to book yoru appointment.
You can book an appointment as soon as you get an invitation.
If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for an invitation to book an appointment.
If you're trans or non-binary
If you're a trans man or are non-binary and have a cervix, how you're invited depends on the sex you're registered with at a GP surgery.
- If you're registered as female with a GP, you'll automatically be invited for cervical screening.
- If you're registered as anything other than female, such as male or indeterminate, you may not be invited for cervical screening automatically – speak to your GP surgery, sexual health service, or transgender health clinic and ask to get invitations automatically.
If you're a trans woman or are non-binary and do not have a cervix, you do not need to have cervical screening. But, if you're registered with a GP as female, you may still be invited. Contact your GP surgery, sexual health service or transgender health clinic and ask to stop being invited.
Find out more about population screening for trans and non-binary people on GOV.UK
When cervical screening is not recommended
If you're under 25
You will not be invited for cervical screening until you're 25 because:
- cervical cancer is very rare in people under 25
- it might mean you have treatment you do not need – abnormal cell changes often go back to normal in younger women
If you're 65 or older
You'll usually stop being invited for screening once you turn 65. This is because it's very unlikely that you'll get cervical cancer if your recent tests did not find anything.
You'll only be invited again if a recent test was abnormal.
If you're 65 or older and have never been for cervical screening, or have not had cervical screening since the age of 50, you can ask your GP for a test.
If you've had a total hysterectomy
You will not need to go for cervical screening if you've had a total hysterectomy to remove all of your womb and cervix.
You should not receive any more screening invitations.
What happens at your cervical screening appointment
Cervical screening involves taking a small sample of cells from your cervix for testing. It's usually done by a female nurse or doctor, who will explain the test and answer any questions you have before they start.
See what a speculum and brush may look like
How cervical screening is done
- You'll need to undress, behind a screen, from the waist down. You'll be given a sheet to put over you.
- The nurse or doctor will ask you to lie back on a bed, usually with your legs bent, feet together and knees apart. Sometimes you may need to change position during the test.
- They'll gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina. A small amount of lubricant may be used.
- The nurse or doctor will open the speculum so they can see your cervix.
- Using a soft brush, they'll take a small sample of cells from your cervix.
- The nurse or doctor will close and remove the speculum and leave you to get dressed.
The cervical screening test itself should take less than 5 minutes. The whole appointment should take about 10 minutes.
Video: how cervical screening is done
This video shows someone having cervical screening. It shows an illustrated view of the inside of the body and explains what happens during the test.
Media last reviewed: 4 February 2022
Media review due: 4 February 2025
Important
You're in control of the cervical screening test and can ask to stop at any time.
Preparing for your cervical screening test
If you're worried about cervical screening, there are things you can try that might make the test easier for you.
Do
-
wear something you can leave on during the test, like a skirt or long jumper
-
bring someone with you for support
-
try breathing exercises to help you relax – ask the nurse or doctor about these
-
ask the nurse or doctor to use a smaller speculum if you feel any discomfort
-
ask if you can put the speculum in yourself if you would prefer to
-
ask about lying in a different position – such as on your side with your knees pulled up to your chest
-
bring something to listen to or read during the test
Don’t
-
do not feel pressured to keep going – you can ask to stop the test at any time
-
try not to be afraid or embarrassed to talk to the nurse or doctor – telling them how you feel will help them understand what kind of support you might need
Your cervical screening results
Your cervical screening results are usually sent to you by letter. Sometimes you may be asked to call your GP to get the results.
When your cervical screening results should arrive
The nurse or doctor will tell you when you can expect your results.
If you've waited longer than you expected, call your GP surgery to see if they have any updates.
Information:
Try not to worry if it's taking longer than expected to get your results.
It does not mean anything is wrong, and most people will have a normal result.
What your cervical screening results mean
Your cervical screening results will explain if human papillomavirus (HPV) was found in your sample, what your result means, and what happens next.
HPV is not found in your sample
Most people will not have HPV (an HPV negative result).
This means your risk of getting cervical cancer is very low. You do not need any further tests to check for abnormal cell changes in your cervix, even if you've had these in the past.
You'll be invited for screening again in 5 years.
An unclear result
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.
HPV is found in your sample
Your results will explain what will happen next if HPV is found in your sample (an HPV positive result).
There are 2 different kinds of HPV positive result.
The 2 possible HPV positive results and what they mean
| Result |
What it means |
|
HPV found (HPV positive), but no abnormal cell changes
|
You'll be invited for screening in 1 year and again 1 year later if you still have HPV. If you still have HPV after 2 years, you'll be asked to have a colposcopy.
|
|
HPV found (HPV positive) and abnormal cell changes
|
You'll be asked to have a different test, called a colposcopy, to look at your cervix.
|
Important
Having a positive HPV result does not mean your partner has had sex with someone else while you have been together.
You might have HPV even if you have not been sexually active or not had a new partner for many years.
If you need a colposcopy
A colposcopy is a simple procedure to look at your cervix.
It's similar to having cervical screening, but it's done in hospital.
You might need a colposcopy if your cervical screening results show you have HPV and abnormal changes to the cells of your cervix.
Find out more about having a colposcopy
Information:
Try not to worry if you've been referred for a colposcopy.
Any changes to your cells will not get worse while you're waiting for your appointment.
Risks of cervical screening
You may have some light bleeding or spotting after cervical screening. This should stop within a few hours. Non-urgent advice:
See a GP if:
You've had cervical screening and have:
- heavy bleeding
- spotting or light bleeding that does not stop after a few hours
Further help and support for cervical screening
Getting support with cervical screening
You may need more help and support with cervical screening for many reasons.
Speak to your GP surgery if you have questions about cervical screening invitations, results or any symptoms you have.
Support for everyone
For more information and support about going for cervical screening, you can contact The Eve Appeal by:
There's also information on GOV.UK for people who feel anxious about attending cervical screening.
Support for LGBTQ+ people
Support for people with vulval pain
Support for people with a learning disability
Video: accessing cervical screening with the right support for people with a learning disability
Jodie explains how getting the right support helped her with going for cervical screening.
Media last reviewed: 4 May 2023
Media review due: 4 May 2026
Support after sexual violence
If you've experienced sexual violence, you may find the idea of cervical screening very difficult.
The My Body Back Project gives support after sexual violence by running My Body Back screening clinics for people who have experienced sexual violence.
Video: cervical screening support after sexual violence
This video describes how to approach a cervical screening appointment if you have experienced sexual violence.
Media last reviewed: 1 September 2022
Media review due: 1 September 2025