Who is eligible for cervical screening?
Women (registered female) aged 25-64 years are eligible for cervical screening. Cervical screening is also known as a “smear test”.
Cervical screening is not a test for cancer – instead, it looks for a common virus called HPV (human papillomavirus). Usually your body will get rid of HPV by itself, but if it persists, HPV can damage the cells in the cervix which can sometimes turn to cancer.
- If you are aged 25-49 years, you will be invited every 3 years
- If you are aged 50-64 years, you will be invited every 5 years
- You should get the results within two weeks.
Reasonable Adjustments
If are worried that your screening appointment will be difficult because of (for example) physical disability, learning disability, language or literacy difficulties, anxiety, mental illness or neurodiversity, please ask for help. You have the right to ask for reasonable adjustments at your screening appointment.
This checklist gives you an idea of the sorts of things you can reasonably ask for.
LGBTQ+ and screening
Screening is for everyone who is eligible. Please follow this link for LGBTQ+ screening information.
Questions people ask
It can be uncomfortable, but the smear test itself lasts for less than 30 seconds. The speculum (the instrument used to see the cervix) comes in different sizes; your practice nurse will use the size which is most comfortable for you. If you are worried, please talk to the practice nurse. They will do all they can to help you.
Screening services are committed to make reasonable adjustments to support you. For instance, you may want someone to come in with you, or you may want a longer appointment so you don’t feel rushed. Your practice nurse will do all they reasonably can to help you. They can also help by talking to you about the test and answering any questions or concerns.
No. A positive result means that you were found to have HPV – it does not mean you have cancer. The lab will check for any damage to the cervix cells:
- If there is no damage, you will be invited back for further screening in 12 months (to check that HPV has gone away
- If there is any damage to the cells, you will be invited for more tests to check for cancer
- You should get the results within 2-4 weeks
Out of every 100 people screened, 13 will be positive for HPV, 9 will be invited for a repeat smear in 12 months and only 4 will need further tests. Out of those, less than 1 will have cancer.
Yes. HPV is common and you can get it from any type of sexual contact (past or present), including touching.
Yes. The vaccine reduces your chance of getting HPV but does not prevent it completely. Screening is still important to prevent cervical cancer.
More information about cervical screening
More videos
Further reading
Cervical screening: helping you decide (various languages available)