Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix. It is offered every three years for those aged 26 to 49, and every five years from the ages of 50 to 64. 

Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina. The procedure is carried out by our trained, experienced Practice Nurse.  It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer. Finding abnormal changes early means they can be monitored or treated so they do not get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.

The sample is checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. These are called “high risk” types of HPV.

If these types of HPV are not found, you do not need any further tests.

If these types of HPV are found, the sample is then checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix. These can then be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.

If you have received a letter of invitation for cervical screening call the surgery to speak with one of our Medical Receptionists who will help you to book an appointment with one of Practice Nurses.

If you would like to know more about cervical screening including a brief video on how cervical screening is done please CLICK HERE.

If you have any worries or concerns or questions about cervical screening and would like to discuss the procedure with one of our practice nurses to help put your mind at ease please let us know and we can book a telephone consultation for you.

For more information on cervical cancer screening please click on the following websites:

https://www.jostrust.org.uk/information/cervical-screening/what-happens-during-cervical-screening

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/

GOV.UK Cervical Screening Helping you decide

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/getting-diagnosed/screening/about

If a member of your family or someone you care for has a learning disability, has difficulties with written English or is unable to read English please click on the following easy guide links that you can refer to:

Cervical Screening Programme easy read guide

Beyond Words easy guide to cervical cancer screening picture book

Jostrust.org.uk/Having a smear test

GOV.UK breast screening helping women decide  Link to leaflets and animation video in English and in different languages

I’m trans or non-binary, does this affect my cancer screening?

For more information please visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/screening/trans-and-non-binary-cancer-screening