Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix. It's not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer.

How cervical screening helps prevent cancer

Cervical screening may check for:

• abnormal cell changes in your cervix – left untreated, this could turn into cancer
• human papillomavirus (HPV) – some types of HPV can lead to cell changes in your cervix and cancer

What is HPV?

HPV is the name for a very common group of viruses.

You can get it from any kind of skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, not just from penetrative sex.

Most people will get some type of HPV during their lives.

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by infection with certain types of HPV.

Find out more about what HPV is

Who's at risk of cervical cancer

If you have a cervix and have had any kind of sexual contact, with a man or a woman, you could get cervical cancer.

Sexual contact includes:

• vaginal, oral or anal sex
• any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area
• sharing sex toys

You're still at risk of cervical cancer if:

• you have had the HPV vaccine – it does not protect you from all types of HPV, so you're still at risk of cervical cancer
• you have only had 1 sexual partner – you can get HPV the first time you're sexually active
• you have had the same partner, or not had sex, for a long time – you can have HPV for a long time without knowing it
• you're a lesbian or bisexual – you're at risk if you have had any sexual contact
• you're a trans man with a cervix – read about if trans men should have cervical screening
• you have had a partial hysterectomy that did not remove all of your cervix

If you've never had any kind of sexual contact with a man or woman, you may decide not to go for cervical screening when you are invited. But you can still have a test if you want one.

If you're not sure whether to have cervical screening, talk to your GP or nurse.

Cervical screening is a choice

It's your choice if you want to go for cervical screening. But cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect you from cervical cancer.

Risks of cervical screening

You may have some light bleeding or spotting after cervical screening. This should stop within a few hours.

If abnormal cells are found and you need treatment, there are some risks, such as:

• treating cells that may have gone back to normal on their own
• bleeding or an infection
• you may be more likely to have a baby early if you get pregnant in the future – but this is rare

For more information to help you decide, read the NHS cervical screening leaflet.

How to opt out

If you do not want to be invited for screening, contact your GP and ask to be taken off their cervical screening list.

You can ask them to put you back on the list at any time if you change your mind.

All women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 should go for regular cervical screening. You'll get a letter in the post inviting you to make an appointment.

When you'll be invited for cervical screening

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 lead to having 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.

You'll only be invited again if 1 of your last 3 tests 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 have had a total hysterectomy

You will not need to go for cervical screening if you have had a total hysterectomy to remove all of your womb and cervix.

You should not receive any more screening invitation letters.

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.

When to book cervical screening

Try to book your appointment as soon as you get invited. If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter.

It's best to book an appointment when:

• you're not on your period – also try to avoid the 2 days before or after you bleed (if you do not have periods, you can book any time)
• you have finished treatment if you have unusual vaginal discharge or a pelvic infection

Read more about cervical screening during pregnancy if:

• you're pregnant now
• you have recently given birth
• you're planning a pregnancy
• you have recently had a miscarriage or abortion

Things to ask when you book

It's OK to let the GP surgery know if you have any worries about going for cervical screening.

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.

How cervical screening is done

1. You'll need to undress, behind a screen, from the waist down. You'll be given a sheet to put over you.
2. The nurse 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.
3. They'll gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina. A small amount of lubricant may be used.
4. The nurse will open the speculum so they can see your cervix.
5. Using a soft brush, they'll take a small sample of cells from your cervix.
6. The nurse will close and remove the speculum and leave you to get dressed.

Things you can try to make the test easier

If you're worried about cervical screening, there are things you can try that might make the test better for you:

Things to look out for after cervical screening

You may have some spotting or light bleeding after your cervical screening test.

This is very common and should go away in a few hours.

Your cervical screening results are usually sent to you in a letter. Sometimes you may be asked to call your GP to get the results.

When your results should arrive

You should get your results within 14 days. But they can take longer to arrive.

If you have waited longer than you expected, call your GP surgery to see if they have any updates.

What your results mean

Your results letter will explain what was tested for and what your results mean.

Most people will have a normal result. This means you do not need any further tests and you'll be invited for screening again in 3 or 5 years.

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.

If you have an abnormal result

Your results letter should explain what will happen next.

You may need:

• no treatment
• another cervical screening test in 1 year
• a different test to look at your cervix (colposcopy)

There are different kinds of abnormal result depending on if your sample was tested for:

• abnormal cell changes in your cervix – left untreated, this could turn into cancer
• HPV – some types of HPV can lead to cell changes in your cervix and cancer

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 carried out in hospital.

You might need one if your results show changes to the cells of your cervix.

Find out more about having a colposcopy

You may need more help and support with cervical screening for many reasons.

Support from the Cervical Screening Programme

You can contact the Public Health England Screening Helpdesk if you have any questions about cervical screening practice or policy (England only) by:

• calling the helpdesk on 020 3682 0890
• emailing phe.screeninghelpdesk@nhs.net

For any queries about cervical screening results or symptoms, please speak with your GP.

Support for everyone

For more information and support about going for cervical screening, results and treatment, you can contact Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust by:

• joining the Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust Forum
• calling the helpline on 0808 802 8000
• using their Ask the Expert service

Support for people with a learning disability

Visit Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust for:

• information and a film about cervical screening if you have a learning disability
• an EasyRead guide to having a smear test

Support for LGBT people

• the LGBT foundation has information and support about cervical screening for LGBT people
• PHE has information on cervical screening for lesbian and bisexual women
• PHE has more information on cervical screening for trans men

Support for people with vulval pain

• the Vulval Pain Society has information about cervical screening if you have any kind of vulval pain, such as vaginismus

Support after sexual violence

If you have experienced sexual violence, you may find the idea of cervical screening very difficult.

My Body Back gives support after sexual violence by running:

• screening clinics for people who have experienced sexual violence
• tips and tricks workshops about cervical screening

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust has information, advice and support about cervical screening after sexual violence.