Cervical Screening
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme, introduced in 1988, screens
more than three million women. It saves around 4,500 lives every year. Screening is used to detect abnormal cells on the cervix (the neck of the womb). Cervical cancer is one of the few preventable cancers, because screening picks up
pre-cancerous changes. The test prevents up to 75% of cervical cancers.
Who is the screening for?
Women aged between 25 – 49 years are automatically invited for free cervical screening every three years. Those aged between 50 – 64 years are invited every five years. Screening can take place at your GP practice or at a Sexual health or contraceptive clinic. Please phone to make an appointment. You can request a female nurse or doctor to carry out the test.
What does the test involve?
The doctor or nurse will insert a speculum into your vagina to view the neck of your cervix and collect a sample of cells using a swab to send to the laboratory.
Remember to make your appointment for the middle of your menstrual cycle (i.e. halfway between periods) and don't have sex for 24 hours before the test.
You will receive your results in writing and you can ask the person taking your screening test when to expect them.
Nine out of ten screening tests are normal. Occasionallya result may be classed as ‘inadequate’, which means your sample could notbe read. One in ten cell samples are described as ‘abnormal’.
There are various grades of abnormality, but it is extremely rare for an abnormal result to showthat cancer has already developed. In many cases, cell changes can be left toreturn to normal by themselves but sometimes treatment may be necessary to prevent the abnormal cells developing.
If you have an abnormal screening result, you may be recalled early for another screening test, given a colposcopy (an examination of the cervix using a special microscope) or treatment to remove the abnormal cells.
Contact us
For more information about cervical screening, contact our screening helpline
on Tel: 01689 880 685 or go to the NHS Cancer Screening website via the right hand link.
