Cervical screening

• 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.

Important

Try not to put off cervical screening. It's one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

Page last reviewed: Sat Feb 2022 Next review due: Sat Feb 2022