Everything you need to know about cervical screening:

Cervical screening, or the “smear test”, is a routine health check that identifies potentially harmful cells and changes on the cervix. Cervical screening is not a test for cancer but catching any changes early can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer. Cervical cancer kills two women every day. Regular screenings can help reduce that number, which is why it’s so important you attend your screening when invited. 

Who is the screening for?

If you are a woman, or someone with a cervix, you will be invited for cervical screening at regular intervals:

If you’re aged 25-49, you’ll be invited every 3 years

If you’re aged 50-64, you’ll be invited every 5 years

It is advisable you have regular cervical screenings, but ultimately, it is your choice whether you attend.

What happens during cervical screening?

Your screening will only take a minute or two, the whole appointment usually takes around fifteen minutes. During your screening a nurse will give you a private space in which to undress from the waist down. They will also give you a paper sheet to cover yourself and will ask you to lie on the bed. They’ll then place a speculum (a hollow cylinder with a rounded edge) in your vagina. This helps them see your cervix. Then, using a small brush, they’ll gently gather some cells from your cervix. They’ll remove the speculum, put your sample in a pot and send it off for testing. You’ll get your results around two weeks later.

Our nurses are trained to do all they can to put you at ease during your appointment and are on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have. However, whether you attend your screening or not, is ultimately your choice.

If you’re due to have a cervical screening, you’ll receive an invite letter in the post. Don’t ignore it, book your cervical screening here today.

If you missed your previous appointment or are unsure if you are due a screening, please contact us and we will book you an appointment if you’re due.

How to Book:

You can book an appointment by calling us on 0151 526 2161 Mon-Fri 8:00am-– 6:30pm