A smear test takes 5 minutes; the impact of cervical cancer lasts a lifetime

Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. A smear test checks the health of your cervix, the opening to your womb from your vagina. It is not a test for cancer. Instead, a smear test helps to prevent cancer by finding changes early, long before they could become serious.

Who is invited for a smear test?

All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited for cervical screening by letter. How often you are invited depends on your age and your previous results. If you missed your last smear test, you do not need to wait for a letter; you can book an appointment straight away.

You are still at risk of cervical cancer, and should still attend, if you:

• have had the HPV vaccine, because it does not protect against every type of HPV
• have only had one sexual partner, or have not had sex for a long time
• are lesbian or bisexual, or a trans man with a cervix
• have had a partial hysterectomy that did not remove all of your cervix

If you have had a total hysterectomy that removed your womb and cervix, you will not need screening. Screening is always your choice, and you can ask your GP to take you off, or put you back on, the list at any time.

How a smear test prevents cancer

A small sample of cells is taken from your cervix and tested for human papillomavirus (HPV) and for cell changes. HPV is a very common group of viruses, passed on through any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area. Most people will have it at some point, and nearly all cervical cancers are caused by certain high-risk types. Finding cell changes early means they can be monitored or treated before they have a chance to turn into cancer.

What happens during a smear test?

The test itself takes less than 5 minutes, and the whole appointment about 10. It is usually carried out by a female nurse or doctor, who will explain each step first. You undress from the waist down behind a screen and lie back with your knees apart. The nurse gently inserts a speculum, a smooth, tube-shaped instrument, to see your cervix, then takes a sample with a soft brush. You are in control throughout and can ask to stop at any time.

Making your smear test easier

If you feel anxious, there is plenty you can do to make the test more comfortable:

• ask for a female nurse, a chaperone or a longer appointment when you book
• ask for a smaller speculum, or to lie on your side
• wear a skirt or long jumper you can keep on, and bring someone with you
• mention it if the test has become harder since the menopause, as vaginal oestrogen can help

It is best to book for a time when you are not on your period, and to avoid vaginal creams, lubricants or medicines for 2 days beforehand.

Your smear test results

You may notice light spotting afterwards; this is common and settles within a few hours. Results usually arrive by letter within about 2 weeks, and most people have a normal result. Sometimes you may be asked to repeat the test in 3 months because the sample was unclear. That does not mean anything is wrong.

If HPV is found but there are no cell changes, you will usually be invited back in a year to check it has cleared. If HPV is found with cell changes, or the changes are high grade, you will be asked to have a colposcopy, a closer look at the cervix in clinic. Any changes will not get worse while you wait. Our abnormal cervical smears page explains what happens next, and a positive HPV result does not mean your partner has been unfaithful.

Small risks, big benefits

If treatment is needed, there are small risks, such as bleeding, infection or treating cells that might have returned to normal by themselves. Rarely, treatment can make an early birth slightly more likely in a future pregnancy. For most people, these risks are far outweighed by the protection screening offers.

Cancer Research UK explains how cervical screening works, and the World Health Organization sets out why screening and vaccination matter. You can read more on our smear tests and cervical screening and cervical cancer pages. If you would like a private smear test or advice about a result, you can book with Mr Jafaru Abu at The Park Hospital, Nottingham.