Cervical screening, previously known as a smear test, is a free NHS test that helps prevent cervical cancer. It checks for high-risk HPV, which can cause changes to the cells of the cervix.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme invites women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 for routine cervical screening every 5 years. Your first invitation is usually sent shortly before you turn 25.
You may be invited more frequently if HPV is found or if you have had previous abnormal results. If you are aged 65 or over, you will usually only be invited if a recent test was abnormal, if you have not been screened since age 50, or if you have never had cervical screening.
When you receive your invitation, please contact the surgery to book an appointment with one of our trained cervical screening sample takers.
Please make sure the surgery has your up-to-date contact details, including your address and mobile number, so you receive your screening invitation and results.
If you are a trans man or non-binary person with a cervix, you are also eligible for cervical screening. How you are invited may depend on how your gender is recorded on your GP record. Please contact the surgery if you would like to discuss this confidentially.
Further information is available on the NHS website: Cervical screening.