Cervical screening - The screening process

You will receive a letter through the post asking you to make an appointment for a cervical screening test. The letter should contain the details of where you need to contact for the appointment.

You can have cervical screening at your GP surgery or a family planning clinic. Most women choose to go to their GP practice. Screening is usually carried out by the practice nurse. You can ask to have a female doctor or nurse.

If possible, try to book an appointment during the middle of your menstrual cycle (usually 14 days from the start of your last period), as this can help ensure a better sample of cells is taken.

If you use a spermicide, a barrier method of contraception or a lubricant jelly, you should not use these for 24 hours before the test as the chemicals they contain may affect the test.

The screening test

The cervical screening test usually takes around five minutes to carry out. You will be asked to undress from the waist down and lie on a couch, although you can usually remain fully dressed if you are wearing a loose skirt.

The doctor or nurse will gently put an instrument, called a speculum, into your vagina. This holds the walls of the vagina open so that the cervix can be seen. A small soft brush will be used to gently collect some cells from the surface of your cervix.

Some women find the procedure a bit uncomfortable or embarrassing, but for most women it is not painful. If you find the test painful, tell the doctor or nurse because they may be able to reduce your discomfort. Try to relax as much as possible because being tense makes the test more difficult to carry out. Taking slow, deep breaths will help.

In the laboratory

In recent years, the process of processing cell samples has been improved to make it more accurate. The cell sample is now taken using liquid-based cytology (LBC), rather than the "Pap" (Papanicolaou) smear test that was used previously.

The head of the brush on which your cells have been collected is broken off into a small pot of preservative liquid or rinsed directly into the preservative liquid.

The sample will then be sent to a laboratory where it will be treated to remove any other material that may have been picked up, such as mucus or blood. It is then examined under a microscope to see whether there are any abnormal cells.

In some areas, the first test carried out on the sample will be to see if the human papillomavirus (HPV) is present. Only if it is found will the laboratory need to check for abnormal cells.

Research has shown that LBC is more accurate than the Pap smear test and decreases the number of inadequate screening results. This means you are less likely to be called back for a repeat screening because your test was unclear.

Improvements across all aspects of cervical screening now mean that all women should receive their results within two weeks of their screening test.

Test reliability

As with all screening tests, cervical screening is not 100% accurate and does not prevent every case.

However, regular screening can stop up to 75% of cervical cancers developing, which is why it is important to attend screening when invited.

Read more about the results of cervical screening.