Cervical screening (previously called the "smear test") is offered to all women and people with a cervix, aged 25 to 64, to help prevent cervical cancer and to save lives.
How to book your appointment
Contact your GP surgery to book a cervical screening appointment. Find out how to register with a GP surgery if you are not registered with one already.
Some sexual health clinics also offer cervical screening. Contact your local sexual health clinic to find out more.
Why should I book an appointment?
Cervical screening tests for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). These "high risk" types of HPV can be found in over 99% of cervical cancers.
If the test finds one of these HPV types in your screening sample, the sample is then checked for abnormal cell changes.
By finding and treating these changes early, most cases of cervical cancer can be prevented.
You can get HPV the first time you have sexual contact, and you do not need to have penetrative sex to get it.
You can have it even if you have had the same sexual partner for a long time or have not been sexually active for many years.
You can still have HPV regardless of your sexual orientation or if you have had the HPV vaccine.
Support if you are worried about cervical screening
Cervical screening appointments only take 5 to 10 minutes, but you can ask for a longer appointment if you would like more time. You can also ask for a female nurse or doctor and can bring someone else in the room with you for support.
During your appointment, you can ask to lie in a different position and for a smaller speculum to make the test more comfortable for you.
For more information about what happens during an appointment, HPV and cervical cancer, read our online leaflet on the GOV.UK website.
You can also find advice and support on the GOV.UK website if you feel worried or need assistance attending cervical screening.
More information
The nurse or doctor who does your screening test will tell you how and when you can expect to get your result, and they will also be told your result.
Tell your GP surgery or the sexual health clinic that tested you if you change your address or contact details.
Speak to a GP as soon as possible if you have any of the following symptoms, regardless of your cervical screening history:
- vaginal bleeding that is unusual for you, for example during or after sex, between your periods, heavy periods, or after the menopause
- pain during sex
- changes to vaginal discharge
- pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy
Learn more about NHS cervical screening and HPV, including what happens at your appointment and how to book.
If you have any concerns or questions about cervical screening, contact a GP surgery or sexual health clinic.
Data protection
We use personal information from your NHS records to invite you for screening at the right time. NHS England also uses your information to ensure you receive high quality care and to improve the screening programmes. Read more about how we use and protect your information.
Find out how to opt out of screening.