Cervical screening

Cervical screening

Cervical screening, which used to be called a 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.
You’ll be invited for screening every 5 years from when you’re 25 to 64 years old. You’ll get your first invitation a few months before you turn 25. You may be invited more regularly if you have Human Papilloma Virus. If you would like to learn more about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), please see our HPV FAQs Leaflet (PDF).
 
The following links include up to date NHS information, which includes: what is cervical screening; why it is done; when you’ll be invited, what happens at your appointment (including a video to watch) and information about possible results.
 
Cervical screening – NHS
Your guide to NHS cervical screening – GOV.UK (this contains information in several different languages)
 
If you think you would benefit from leaflets about screening that are easier to read and understand, with useful pictures to help explain it, please click on the link below for more information:
Having a Smear Test: An Easy Guide (PDF)