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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. What is cervical screening? Why it's important. When you'll be invited. How to book. What happens at your appointment. Your results.
- When You'll Be Invited
If you're under 25. You will not be invited for cervical...
- Results
You may need: another cervical screening test in 1 year; a...
- What Happens at Your Appointment
The nurse will ask you to lie back on a bed, usually with...
- Why It's Important
If you do not have a high risk type of HPV it's very...
- How to Book
Try to book your appointment as soon as you get invited. If...
- What is Cervical Screening
All women aged 25 to 64 are invited by letter to cervical...
- When You'll Be Invited
You may be worried about having your smear test if you experience menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness or soreness, lichens sclerosis, vaginal tightness, vulval or vaginal pain or you may have had a less than pleasant experience during a previous smear test.
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Jan 24, 2024 · Smear tests can be uncomfortable during the perimenopause and menopause but help is available. Low hormone levels can affect vaginal tissues, making a cervical screening painful. Vaginal hormones and lubricants can help. There are also steps you can take if you feel anxious about a test.
Covers information on how a cervical sample should be taken and how to manage cervical screening results. It also covers cervical screening during pregnancy, post cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) treatment, post-hysterectomy, and in immunosuppressed people.
- What Is A Cervical Screening Test?
- How Is The Test done?
- Why Are Cervical Screening Tests advised?
- Where Do I Go For A Cervical Screening Test?
- Why Is The Cervical Screening Test Important?
- What Do The Results of The Cervical Screening Test Mean?
- What Is Colposcopy?
- Can Abnormal Cells Be Treated?
- Some Common Questions About The Cervical Screening Test
All eligible people who are registered with a GP (as female) automatically receive an invitation by mail. Trans men (assigned female at birth) do not receive invitations if registered as male with their GP, but are still entitled to screening if they have a cervix. During each test some cells are removed from the neck of the womb (cervix), with a p...
The cervix is the lowest part of the womb (uterus). It is often called the neck of the womb. It is inside the vagina. If you were to put a clean finger into your vagina as far as it will go, you might be able to feel your cervix deep inside. You will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist down. If you wear a loose skirt, you may only need ...
Cervical cancer is a disease that can often be prevented. Early changes can be detected in the neck of the womb (cervix), which indicate that cancer may develop. Since screening started, the numbers of cases of cervical cancer have dramatically dropped, and so have the number of deaths from it. Cancer of the cervix is now only the fourteenth most c...
In the UK most people have the test at their GP surgery. It is usually done by the practice nurse. You can have it done at a family planning clinic if you prefer. A copy of the result is usually sent to you, your GP and the health authority. This takes about two weeks. Ask at your GP surgery for the result of the test if you do not receive it.
Cervical canceris not uncommon. In recent years the number of cases has fallen due to cervical screening tests. However, there are still around 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed each year in the UK. Most of these occur in those people who have never had a screening test, or who have not had one for many years. Cervical cancer can be prev...
The initial test looks for human papillomavirus (HPV). This is a type of wart virus that can be passed on by having sex. It is involved in the development of nearly all cases of cervical cancer. However, most infections with HPV will clear completely from the body within two years. This means that most people who are infected with HPV do not develo...
Colposcopy is a more detailed examination of the neck of the womb (cervix). An instrument called a colposcope is used to magnify the cervix so it can be seen in more detail. You may be referred for a colposcopy if you have one of the higher grades of abnormality on your test. You may also be referred for colposcopy if you have had three inadequate ...
Yes. A minor abnormal change often goes away by itself. This is why a repeat test after 3-12 months may be all that is needed. If the cells remain abnormal, or the changes are more marked, treatment is offered. This will stop cancer from developing in the future. Treatment, if needed, is simple and almost 100% effective. Treatment is done at the co...
How effective is the cervical screening test?
No test is 100% effective. Although a cervical screening test does not detect an abnormality every single time one occurs, overall it is a very reliable test.
I have never had sex. Do I need a cervical screening test?
The test is recommended for all those with a cervix - even if you have never had sex. However, the risk of getting cervical cancer is very low if you have never had sex. This is because the main cause of cervical cancer is a past infection with HPV - the type of common wart virus that is normally passed on by having sex. There are other, less common types of cervical cancer, not caused by HPV, so anyone with a cervix who has never had sex is still at risk. For more information, see the separa...
I am a lesbian. Do I need a cervical screening test?
Yes. If you are a lesbian, you are still advised to have cervical screening. This is because there is still a risk of cervical cancer, and HPV can still be transmitted between partners. Additionally, some lesbians may have had sexual contact with a man in the past.
Aug 10, 2023 · Between smear tests, contact your GP if you experience any of the following symptoms: bleeding between periods, after sex, or the menopause pain or discomfort during sex
People also ask
What is a cervical smear test?
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Can a smear test prevent cervical cancer?
Mar 4, 2019 · If you're anxious, it can make you tense up more: let your smear taker know if you're feeling a bit nervous, and she'll stop immediately if you're uncomfortable. Smears are often more uncomfortable after the menopause , when vaginal dryness becomes an issue.
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