Cervical screening

You are invited for cervical screening because research shows it is a reliable test in helping reduce the risk of cervical cancer, and the benefits outweigh any risks. Along with the HPV vaccine, cervical screening is the best way to protect against cervical cancer. It prevents over 7 in 10 cervical cancers.

Smear test is the old name for cervical screening. It was called this because of the way the test used to be done. Cells used to be smeared on a glass slide which was sent to the laboratory for testing. 

Cervical screening is now done with a soft brush and the sample is put in a pot to be sent for testing. This is why we now call it cervical screening.

HPV primary screening tests for a virus called high-risk HPV. High-risk HPV may cause cervical cell changes. If high-risk HPV is found, the sample will be checked for any changes to the cells. These cells aren’t cancer but could lead to cervical cancer in the future if they are not monitored or treated.

No. Cervical screening only tests for high-risk HPV and cervical cell changes. These cell changes may eventually develop into cancer if they aren’t monitored or treated. It does not check for any other conditions or cancers. 

It is very rare to develop cervical cancer under the age of 25. It is also rare to develop cervical cancer over the age of 64 if you have had regular cervical screening.

If you are 65 or older and have never had cervical screening, you are entitled to a test. You can book an appointment with your GP surgery. 

Cervical screening is not for people with symptoms. If you have any symptoms, which are unexpected changes to your periods or bleeding (after sex, between your periods, after the menopause), or any changes to discharge, see your GP for an examination.

You can still book an appointment if your screening is overdue, a letter is not needed. Contact your GP surgery to book in.

From 2026, the NHS will start posting out HPV self-sampling tests to be done at home to people who are at least six months overdue cervical screening or have never been screened. The test will come with clear instructions and a pre-paid return envelope to post the sample back. The test is a swab test, which is like a long cotton bud. You insert it into the vagina to get a sample of cells from your vagina. You then post it back for testing.

You will be sent your results, which will tell you whether you have high-risk HPV or not. If you have high-risk HPV you will be invited for a cervical screening test at your GP surgery so that your cervical cells can be checked for cell changes.

HPV self-sampling tests are available to buy privately, but the quality and reliability varies.

You can only access cervical screening on the NHS if you have been invited and are due a test. This means that if you get a HPV positive result from a private self-sampling test, you cannot book in a cervical screening test to check for cell changes or get any further monitoring or treatment, unless you are due. The results from the private test also can’t be added to your NHS cervical screening records. This can understandably cause a lot of worry and upset.

The best way to help reduce your risk of cervical cancer is to get your HPV vaccination if you’re eligible and attend your cervical screening test when invited.

It is your choice whether you go for cervical screening. The NHS invites you for cervical screening from age 25 to 64 because research shows that screening at this age is the best way to make sure your risk of developing cervical cancer is low.

If you decide not to have cervical screening, you can ask your GP to be opted out of the programme. If you change your mind, you can ask your GP to re-enter you into the programme.

No. Ask Eve is run by The Eve Appeal, which is independent from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. If you have questions about when you will get your results, ask your GP surgery.

Some people find cervical screening uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful. Some health conditions may make screening more uncomfortable, or even painful. These include endometriosis, vaginismus, vulvodynia, and being menopausal. If you have a health condition that makes cervical screening painful, tell your GP. Sometimes, cervical screening tests can be more difficult for people who have experienced sexual trauma, birth trauma, FGM, or have body dysmorphia. Speak to your healthcare professional about any worries. There are a few things they can do to make you feel more comfortable, like using a smaller speculum. See our tips page for more details.

We have specific information, developed with The Survivors Trust, for survivors of sexual trauma, which you can find here. We also have information specifically for trans men and non-binary people, which you can find here.

Yes. The HPV vaccine lowers your risk of HPV, but doesn’t completely protect against it. So, it’s still important to go for cervical screening. The current HPV vaccine protects against nine strains of HPV. These are low-risk types 6 and 11, and high-risk types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. There are five other strains of high-risk HPV that are not covered by the vaccine. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by high-risk HPV. 

If you’ve been vaccinated, it is still important to go for cervical screening. It will pick up high-risk HPV. If it is present, then your sample will be checked for any changes to cells of your cervix. Together, vaccination and screening prevent thousands of cases of cervical cancer a year. So, it is important to have both if you’re eligible.

Try to book your cervical screening for when you are not on your period. Menstrual blood can make it difficult to get an accurate result. If you are due your period when your test is booked, get in touch with your GP surgery to change the appointment.

It is usually recommended that you do not have cervical screening while you are or could be pregnant. Pregnancy can affect the results of your test.

If you are invited for cervical screening while pregnant, tell your healthcare professional that you are pregnant. You should wait until three months after your pregnancy ends before having a cervical screening test.

If you need follow-up after an abnormal cervical screening result, or treatment for cell changes, you may need to have the test while pregnant. Your colposcopy team will chat to you about your options.

If you still have a cervix, then you will need cervical screening. Your GP or cancer specialist will be able to talk to you about this.
 
Do I need cervical screening after a hysterectomy or another treatment? 
If you have previously had treatment that affected your cervix, you may no longer be invited for cervical screening. These treatments include: 
-A total hysterectomy. This is an operation that removes the womb and cervix. If you have had a total hysterectomy, you will not be invited for cervical screening. This is because there is no cervix to take a sample of cells from.  
-Pelvic radiotherapy. This is a treatment that directs radiation at the part of the body between the hipbones (pelvis). It can damage the cells of the cervix and make it harder to tell if there are any changes. If you have had pelvic radiotherapy, you may not be automatically invited for cervical screening. Your doctor may do a separate follow-up appointment with you. 

Your healthcare team will speak to you about what screening to expect after these treatments.

‘Having sex’ can mean different things to different people. You can get HPV from any form of sexual contact. This includes sexual touch, oral, vaginal and anal sex, and sharing sex toys. If you have never had any form of sexual contact, then you are at a lower risk of cervical cancer. It is still important to attend your cervical screening when invited.

If you have a cervix, you are still at risk of cervical cancer. It is important to get screened if you can. If you have any worries or concerns about cervical screening, speak to your healthcare professional. Our Ask Eve nurse service can also give free information.

We have more information for trans men and non-binary people on cervical screening, which you can find here. We also have tips to help with your appointment, which you can find here.

Yes, you do. Unlike other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HPV is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. This includes touching of the genitals, oral, vaginal and anal sex, as well as sharing sex toys. It can be anywhere, such as your fingers and mouth. You can get HPV from just one sexual experience. You do not need to have had penetrative sex to get HPV.

Everyone with a cervix should go for a cervical screening test if they can, no matter their sexual orientation or sexual history. HPV is a common virus. Over 8 in 10 people will get it in their lifetime. HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin sexual contact. This includes sexual touch, oral, vaginal and anal sex, and sharing sex toys. So, if you have had any form of sexual contact, you may have been exposed to HPV. This means you could be at risk of cell changes and cervical cancer.

If you haven’t had any sexual contact then you are at a lower risk of cervical cancer, but it is still important to go for your cervical screening when invited.

Sometimes people who have experienced sexual trauma can find cervical screening triggering. There are some things which you can try which may help make the experience easier.

To help support you, we developed a guide with The Survivors Trust, which you can find here.

If you need support, do get in touch with our Ask Eve nurses. They can help with information and support. You can email them on nurse@eveappeal.org.uk or call 0808 802 0019. The Survivors Trust also has a support line on 0808 801 0818.

We know that going for cervical screening may be scary. We have some Easy Read information here. It has tips to make the appointment easier.

Vaginal atrophy causes the walls of the vagina to become thinner, dry and inflamed. This is from a lack of oestrogen. It can affect people at any age but is most common during perimenopause or post-menopause. Vaginal atrophy can be treated with over-the-counter vaginal lubricants, moisturisers (which are different from lubricants), and you can get prescribed oestrogen-based cream for the vagina. If you are prescribed vaginal oestrogen, you will be advised to use this for two weeks, stopping one week before screening. No lubricants or moisturisers should be used for two days before screening.

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It can affect any part of the body but is most often on the genitals. For some, lichen sclerosus won’t cause any issues when going for cervical screening. For others, cervical screening may be more painful. This can be from scar tissue around the vulva and vaginal opening. Using the smallest speculum suitable for you can help. You can also apply vaginal moisturisers for three weeks before your appointment, stopping two days before screening. You can also try booking a double appointment. This will give you more time to talk through your needs and options. See our tips page for more information.

If you have HIV, you should go for cervical screening every year.

Cervical cancer usually develops very slowly. It takes between 10 and 20 years for persistent high-risk HPV to develop into cell changes and then into cervical cancer. Because it develops so slowly, it is very unlikely you will develop cervical cancer if you are 65 and have had regular cervical screening. 

If your last cervical screening result was normal, you won’t get any more invitations after your 65^th birthday. If you had an abnormal result, you will continue to be invited until you have no sign of HPV (HPV negative) or have completed your individual follow-up.  

If you are 65 or older and have never had cervical screening, you are entitled to a test. You can book an appointment with your GP surgery. 

Cervical screening is a test to prevent cervical cancer in those without symptoms. It is not a test to diagnose cancer. If you have any symptoms, you need to see your GP for a referral for diagnostic tests.
 
It is important to be aware of the symptoms of cervical cancer, including: 
-bleeding between periods, after sex or after the menopause (post-menopausal bleeding) 
-pain during sex 
-changes to your vaginal discharge e.g. unpleasant smelling, bloody or watery
-unexplained lower back or pelvic pain.
 
All of these symptoms can be things other than cervical cancer, but if you have any, see your doctor or nurse and get them checked out.