Cervical Screening

Who is cervical screening for?

We offer cervical screening to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. The NHS offers screening every 3 years from age 25 to 49 and every 5 years from age 50 to 64. This is because most cervical cancers develop between these ages. First invitations arrive a few months before people turn 25. You can book your appointment as soon as you get your invitation. The NHS invite some people more often due to a previous screening result or medical history.

How cervical screening works?

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It looks for abnormal cells in the cervix. Abnormal cells can develop into cancer if left untreated.

The test involves using a soft brush to take a small sample of cells from the surface of your cervix. The sample is put into a small plastic container and sent to the NHS Cervical Screening laboratory. It is tested for the types of HPV (human papillomavirus) that can cause cervical cancer. If you have a negative result for the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, your risk of cervical cancer is very low and there is no need to check for abnormal cells even if you have had these in the past.

If you have a positive result for HPV, the NHS Cervical Screening laboratory will check the sample for abnormal cells. Abnormal cells are not cancer, but they could develop into cancer if left untreated.

How can I book an appointment for my cervical screening?

You can book an appointment by calling our Practice Reception on 0207 402 4026.

Where do we provide cervical screening appointments?

Appointments for cervical screening are based in the Practice.

Who will I see when I attend my cervical screening appointment?

You will see a member of our Practice Nursing team, which includes four Practice Nurses (female). If the appointment options available to you in the Practice do not suit your availability, we should be able to offer signposting or access to alternative clinics being delivered in the community or a local sexual health clinic.

What happens during a cervical screening appointment?

The cervical screening test itself should take less than 5 minutes. The whole appointment should take about 10 minutes.

You will need to undress, behind a screen, from the waist down. You’ll be given a sheet to put over you.
The Nurse will ask you to lie back on an examination bed, usually with your legs bent, feet together and knees apart. Sometimes you may need to change position during the test.
The Nurse will gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina. A small amount of lubricant may be used.
The Nurse will open the speculum so they can see your cervix.
Using a soft brush, the Nurse will take a small sample of cells from your cervix.
The Nurse will close and remove the speculum and leave you to get dressed.

Some patients might feel some discomfort during the procedure, but this should go away quickly. If it feels painful, please tell the Nurse and they will try to make it more comfortable for you. You are in control of your screening appointment, and you can ask to stop at any time.

How should I prepare for my cervical screening appointment?

Your appointment should be on a day when you are not having a period. If you do not have periods, you can be screened at any time.

Please do not use any vaginal medications, lubricants or creams in the 2 days before you have your test because they can affect the results.

Please talk to your Nurse if you:

are pregnant
have had a hysterectomy
think it would be difficult for you to have the test

You can speak to your Nurse if you are nervous about screening. The can talk through any questions or concerns you have. If you decide to go ahead with screening, they can make arrangements to help you feel more comfortable.

How will I get my cervical screening results?

Your cervical screening results will be posted to you at the home address recorded on your NHS GP medical record. The Nurse will tell you when you can expect your results letter. If you have waited longer than you expected, please call us to see if we have any updates. Try not to worry if it is taking a long time to get your results letter. It does not mean anything is wrong, and most people will have a normal result.

What my cervical screening results mean?

Your cervical screening results letter will explain if human papillomavirus (HPV) was found in your sample, what your result means, and what happens next.

There are 4 possible results.

HPV negative result means we will not do any further tests. This result means it is highly unlikely that you will have any abnormal cervical cells. Even if you did, it would be extremely unlikely that they would cause a problem. The NHS will simply invite you back for screening again in 3 to 5 years’ time (depending on your age).
HPV positive (no abnormal cells) means that your sample is HPV positive and that, when it was tested for abnormal cervical cells, none were found. The NHS will invite you to come for screening again sooner than usual (your result letter will explain when). This is so we can check if your immune system has got rid of the HPV (this happens in most cases).
HPV positive (abnormal cells found) means that you will need different test to look at your cervix (a colposcopy). A colposcopy is a procedure similar to having cervical screening, but it is done in hospital.
Inadequate result means that the laboratory cannot get an HPV test result from your sample or cannot see if abnormal cells are present or not. If you have an inadequate test, we will ask you to have cervical screening again in 3 months’ time. We wait so that there are enough cells again to get a sample from.

How do I access my cervical screening result in the NHS App?

Login to the NHS App on your smartphone or via your web browser using the NHS App weblink. You will be able to sign in using Face ID or your NHS Login credentials.
From the main menu, select ‘View your GP health record’.
There will be a ‘sensitive information’ warning: please read the information and select ‘continue’ at the bottom of the page.
Select ‘Test results’ from the menu. If you can see ‘Test results’ in the menu, please contact the Practice to have your access reset.
Here you will see all information and related comments to results of cervical screening you had in the Practice.