Find simple information about cervical screening, including why it is important, what happens at your appointment, what your results may mean, and where to get help.
Section 1: Emily’s cervical screening story
Emily gets a message from her doctor on the NHS App.
Some people get a text message.
Some people get a letter.
The message asks Emily to book an appointment. The appointment is for cervical screening.
Emily is 25 years old.
People get their first cervical screening invitation when they are 25.
Emily will be invited every 5 years until she is 64. Sometimes people are asked to come back sooner.
Emily wants more information about cervical screening.
Emily talks to someone she trusts. They look at the NHS website together.
Emily finds information about cervical screening.
Emily now has the information she needs.
Emily can choose whether to have cervical screening. It is her choice.
Emily decides she wants to have cervical screening.
She rings the number from her message and makes an appointment.
Section 2: What is cervical screening?
Cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer.
Cervical screening checks for changes in the cervix.
You may hear people call cervical screening a smear test.
Cervical
Cervical means to do with the cervix.
Cervix
Most women have a cervix.
The cervix is the opening to the womb from the vagina.
Some transgender men have a cervix.
Some non-binary people have a cervix.
Cervical screening test
A cervical screening test is a check for people who feel well.
Cervical screening tests help to find problems early.
The test checks for signs that something is not normal.
Emily’s cervical screening test is not about looking for cancer.
Cervical screening checks for changes in the cervix.
Some changes can turn into cervical cancer if they are not treated.
Cervical screening helps prevent many cases of cervical cancer.
Section 3: Why cervical screening is important
Emily wants to know why changes happen in the cervix.
Most changes in the cervix are caused by HPV.
HPV is a virus.
HPV can be passed from one person to another during sex.
Everyone with a cervix should have cervical screening, including:
Women who only have sex with women
People who have only had 1
sexual partner.
People who have not had sex for a long time.
People who have had the HPV vaccine.
HPV often goes away on its own.
Sometimes it stays in the body for a long time.
Sometimes HPV can cause cervical cancer.
Emily’s screening test checks for these changes.
A nurse or doctor does cervical screening.
Emily can ask for a woman nurse or doctor.
Emily can:
ask for a longer appointment
visit the doctor’s surgery before her cervical screening
talk to the nurse about cervical screening
go to cervical screening with someone she trusts
ask for an interpreter
ask to wait in a quiet place
talk about any support she may need
Emily should book her cervical screening
for a time when she is not having her period.
Section 4: Emily goes for cervical screening
If Emily wears a skirt or dress, she can keep
it on during cervical screening.
At the surgery, Emily will go into a private room.
Emily can bring someone she trusts into the room if she wants to.
The nurse or doctor will check Emily’s name
and age. Emily can ask questions.
Emily will now have cervical screening.
The nurse or doctor will ask her to take her knickers off.
Emily will lie on a bed with her knees bent and her legs apart.
Emily will have a paper sheet over her.
The nurse or doctor will use a speculum to gently open Emily’s vagina.
A speculum is a V-shaped tool.
It helps the nurse or doctor see Emily’s cervix.
The nurse or doctor will use a small soft brush to collect cells from Emily’s cervix.
Emily may find the brushing across her cervix uncomfortable.
Emily can stop cervical screening at any time.
Cervical screening takes about 1 or 2 minutes.
The whole appointment usually takes about 10 minutes.
Section 5: Emily’s screening test result
The brush has collected cells from Emily’s cervix. The sample is sent away to
be checked for HPV.
Emily will be sent her cervical screening result.
No HPV was found. Emily’s result is normal.
Emily will get a message on her NHS App.
If Emily does not use the NHS App, the NHS will send her a letter.
Emily will be invited for cervical screening again in 5 years.
Some people need more tests.
An NHS App message or letter will explain what happens next.
About 1 in 10 women need more tests.
Going for more tests does not mean someone has cancer.
Some people need more regular checks.
Some people need a different test or treatment.
It is very rare for cervical screening to find cancer.
Section 6: Between screening appointments
Cervical screening is for people who feel well.
Emily should not wait for her next cervical screening appointment if she has symptoms.
Emily should see a doctor if she has:
Pain or bleeding during or after sex
Pain in her lower back or lower tummy
Bleeding from her vagina when it is not
her period
Any unusual fluids from her vagina
Section 7: Where Emily can get help
Emily can get help from:
her doctor’s surgery
someone she trusts
Emily can talk to her doctor’s
surgery about:
cervical screening appointments
cervical screening results
any symptoms or worries