Cervical screening

The first step in cervical screening is to take a sample of cells from the cervix using a method known as liquid-based cytology|.

NHS cervical screening  Back to top

In the UK, the NHS provides a cervical screening programme for all women who are registered with a GP. The ages at which women are invited to attend, and how often screening takes place, varies slightly between the four countries.

In England:

• women are sent their first invitation for routine cervical screening at the age of 25
• between the ages of 25–49 you're invited for cervical screening every three years
• from the age of 50–64 you're invited for screening every five years.

In Scotland, cervical screening is offered every three years to women aged 20–60.

In Wales, women aged 20–64 are called for a cervical screening test every three years.

In Northern Ireland, women aged 20–64 are currently called for a cervical screening test every five years. However, this is in the process of changing so women will be offered cervical screening every three years when they are aged 25–49 and every five years when they are 50–64 (the same as in England).

Once they reach the age of 60–65 (depending on the country where they live), women are no longer invited to have cervical screening unless they’ve had recent cervical changes or haven’t been screened since they were 50. The reason for an upper age limit is because if the cells in the cervix are normal at this time, it’s very unlikely that a cancer will develop in later years.

Women under 25 (20 in Wales and Scotland) aren’t routinely screened as part of the screening programme because changes in a young woman’s cervix are quite normal. In this situation, screening may lead to unnecessary treatment that could affect a woman’s ability to have children. Research has also shown that screening women in their early 20s isn’t very effective at preventing cervical cancer.

Women aged 60 and over who have never had a screening test are entitled to have one. Women of any age who’ve had treatment for abnormal cells on the cervix may need to have a screening test more often than suggested above. Your GP can discuss this with you.

Research suggests that women who have never been sexually active have a very low risk of developing cervical cancer. However, although their risk is very low, there is still a small possibility so cervical screening is still recommended. If you’ve never had sex you may chose not to be screened and your GP or practice nurse can discuss this with you further.

Women who are no longer sexually active, but who were in the past, are still recommended to be screened when invited. This also applies to women who've been vaccinated against human papilloma virus (HPV)|. Women who've never had penetrative sex and women in same sex relationships are also advised to be screened as they may still have been exposed to HPV.

Where to go for your screening test Back to top

You'll be sent a letter from your local primary care trust or GP asking you to make an appointment for your screening test. Most women choose to have the test done by their practice nurse or GP. You can ask to have it done by a female doctor or nurse if you prefer.

Cervical screening tests can also be done at community clinics, such as family planning, Well Woman, sexual health or genitourinary clinics. NHS Direct in England and Wales| (0845 4647) and NHS 24 in Scotland| (0845 24 24 24) can give you details of your local clinic.