Getting your cervical screening

Cervical screening (used to be known as a smear test) is when a doctor or nurse takes a sample of cells from your cervix (this is the narrow part of the uterus (womb) that joins to the top of the vagina).

These cells are then tested for certain types of HPV (human papillomavirus) that are ‘high risk’, which means types of HPV that could potentially lead to cancer. Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer. 

Screening is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. Eligible people are invited by letter, usually six months before they turn 25 and then every five years after that until they turn 64.

During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells are taken from the person’s cervix. The screening is normally done by a female nurse or doctor.

1. The person being screened takes off their trousers/skirt and underwear and lies down on the examination bed with their legs bent and apart. They are given a paper bib to cover their bottom half. 
2. The doctor or nurse inserts a smooth tube-shaped tool called a speculum into the vagina. This opens the walls of the vagina so that the cervix can be seen.  
3. A soft brush is then inserted through the speculum to your cervix. The nurse or doctor rotates the brush a few times to collect the sample.  
4. The sample is then put into a specimen pot which is sent to a lab for testing.  
5. The nurse or doctor will tell you when you can expect your results. 

The sample is checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. These are called ‘high risk’ types of HPV. You might hear the term ‘abnormal cells’; this refers to any cells in the sample that might contain high risk types of HPV. 

It’s a good idea to understand what happens at the screening so you know what to expect.

In the two days leading up to your test, you should avoid using any vaginal medicines, lubricants or creams as they can affect the results.

That’s all the preparation you really need to do!

Not everyone experiences discomfort from the procedure, but some do. It seems obvious, but if are able to relax your abdominal and vaginal muscles, the procedure will happen much quicker and with less discomfort. Take deep slow breaths and focus on relaxing all the muscles in your body.  

Have a look at some suggestions below about how you can make it easier.

You might feel nervous to go to your cervical screening and that’s completely normal. Lots of people feel anxious for different reasons.

To help reduce anxiety and discomfort you can:

• Bring someone with you for company and support
• Ask to lie in a different position
• Ask for a smaller speculum if the standard size is uncomfortable
• Ask to put the speculum in yourself
• Wear a skirt or dress- If you feel comfortable wearing a skirt or dress you can keep this on during the screening and only remove your underwear
• Ask to meet with the nurse before you book the screening – This gives you chance to talk to a nurse about what happens during the screening and ask about any concerns you might have
• Ask for a longer appointment – Allowing more time to prepare and process
• If you’re really worried and know that it may be painful for you, for example, if you have vaginismus or vulvodynia, you can ask when you book your appointment about taking pain relief or any other options available to you
• Ask that the nurse asks you each time before they do anything else or go any further

You might be able to get your cervical screening at your local sexual health clinic. If you’ve received your reminder letter about your screening being due and are visiting the sexual health clinic for contraception or STI testing, in some places you can ask if they can do your screening within the same appointment, meaning one less trip for you.

If no abnormal cells are found in your sample, you will not need any further tests. 

If abnormal cells are found, the sample is then checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix. If your test results come back as positive for HPV, this does not mean you have cancer. HPV is not a type of cancer; it is the name of a group of viruses, some of which can cause cancer. These can then be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer. 

The NHS recommendation is for all women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to go for regular cervical screening.

If you have had the HPV vaccine, you are still at risk of cervical cancer as the vaccine does not protect against all strains of HPV. Similarly, if you are not currently sexually active, cervical screening is still important as you can have HPV for a long time without knowing it.

Some people feel nervous before getting a cervical screening, especially for the first time. However, it’s important to try not to put off your cervical screening. It’s one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

If you want to talk to someone about getting a cervical screening, you can contact your GP, or a professional at Brook or another sexual health service.

From 2026, self-sampling tests will be sent out to people with a cervix who are at least six months overdue their cervical screening test. These tests will arrive in the post and let you do the screening at home using a swab. This gives you another option if you’re worried about going to your GP.