Smear Only
What is it?
Cervical screening, which used to be called smear test, is a test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. It's offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64.
- Everyone with a cervix aged 25 to 64 are invited by letter to cervical screening to check the health of their cervix.
- Everyone with a cervix should go for cervical screening.
- 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.
- During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix.
- 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 checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix. These can be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
- The nurse or doctor will tell you when you can expect your results letter.
Video: how cervical screening is done
This video shows someone having cervical screening. It shows an illustrated view of the inside of the body and explains what happens during the test.
DO BOOK IF:
✓ You have received your letter of invitation. If you haven't received this, the lab will not process your test so it is important to wait for this.
DO NOT BOOK IF:
⊘ You haven't received your letter of invitation. If you haven't received this, the lab will not process your test so it is important to wait for this.
⊘ The date you are booking means you will be on or having your period. We know sometimes this can be unpredictable so please do not worry if you start your period near your appointment date and need to cancel. Please rebook for when you will have finished your period as we cannot take the smear test when you are bleeding.
⊘ You have given birth, had a miscarriage, termination of pregnancy or any other procedure that involves your cervix in the last 12 weeks. Please wait until 12 weeks have passed before the appointment date.
Cervical Screening Q&A
I am under 25 and want to have a cervical screening (smear) test. Why can’t I have one?
In England, you will be invited for cervical screening from age 25 until age 64. Cervical screening is not recommended for anyone under 25 years old.
Cervical cancer is very rare in people under the age of 25, and cervical screening hasn’t been shown to reduce cancer cases in this age group. Most cell changes in this age group will go away on their own. Screening individuals under the age of 25 can lead to treatment which may not be necessary.
If you are under 25, you will have been offered the HPV vaccine at school. If you had the vaccine, then you will have a lower chance of having HPV. You will be invited for your cervical screening (smear) test when you are due at 25. It is still important to attend even if you have had the vaccine, as it does not protect against all types of HPV.
Even if you did not have the HPV vaccine, you still do not need a cervical screening (smear) test until the age of 25.
If you have, or are having any symptoms, such as irregular bleeding, discharge or pain during sex, it is important that you see your doctor.
Your first invitation for screening will be sent when you are 24.5 years old. You can go for screening straight away, you don’t need to wait for your 25th birthday if you have had your invitation communication.
I am over 65, why am I no longer invited for screening?
In England, individuals who are eligible for cervical screening are invited up to the age of 64. The screening programme stops then because individuals who have no HPV (human papillomavirus) at this time are very unlikely to go on to develop cervical cancer in later years.
Although cervical cancer does occur in older individuals, it is often in people who have had no screening, or who have not had enough screening tests in the past. Even if all of your past tests were normal, it is very important that you report any unusual bleeding, discharge or other symptoms to your doctor. This includes:
Bleeding after sex, between periods or after the menopause
New or different vaginal discharge (change in colour, amount or consistency)
Lower tummy or back pains, or pain during sex
If you have never been for a cervical screening (smear) test you can ask at your doctor’s surgery to have one, even if you are over the age of 65.
Why did NHS England change routine screening invitation to five years for everyone?
The UK National Screening Committee has recommended that cervical screening programmes invite all people with a cervix, aged between 25 and 64 every five years once they have tested negative for HPV.
Evidence shows that it is safe to extend the time between cervical screening (smear) tests for people who do not have HPV. NHS England made this change from 1st July 2025 bringing England in line with Scotland and Wales.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer. This test is more effective at identifying people at higher risk of developing cell changes which can cause cervical cancer.
This change applies to people whose next routine screening result shows that they do not have HPV. This means their risk of developing cervical cancer within the next five years is very low.
We will look at the cells if high-risk HPV is found in a cervical screening sample. Follow-up for these individuals may be different depending on their test results.
I’m still being invited for screening despite having had a hysterectomy. Why is this?
Sometimes the Cervical Screening Administration Service (CSAS) has not been made aware that you have had a hysterectomy, so they continue to invite you for screening. We can inform CSAS about your hysterectomy so they stop sending your screening invitations, please call us on 01539 760760 option 1 to request this.
A hysterectomy removes the uterus (womb) and this usually includes the cervix (neck of the womb). This is called a ‘total hysterectomy’. Sometimes the cervix may be left in place, this is called a ‘subtotal hysterectomy’. If you have had a ‘sub-total hysterectomy’, you should continue having cervical screening (smear) tests up to the age of 65 years. Your doctor will be able to tell you what type of hysterectomy you have had.
After a total hysterectomy you would not normally need any further screening tests. However, if a further screening test is needed, your gynaecologist will let you know.
Page created: 03 July 2023
