Cervical screening is now offered to all women between 25–65. This is a change in screening policy, as we used to screen younger women. You may be offered a cervical smear under 25 if you have certain symptoms that the nurse or doctor is concerned about.

It is not a test for diagnosing cervical cancer. It is a test to check the health of the cervix, which is the lower part of the womb (often called the neck of the womb). For many women the test result shows everything is fine. But for one in 10 women, the test shows changes in the cells that can be caused by many things. Most of these changes will not lead to cervical cancer. However, you may be asked to come back for more cervical screening tests to see if the changes have reverted back to normal, or whether you may need a closer examination, which is called a ‘colposcopy’.

Cervical cancer can often be prevented. The signs that it may develop can be spotted early on so it can be stopped before it even gets started.

Cervical cancer is more common if you:
•    First had sex at an early age
•    Smoke
•    Do not use condoms
•    Have had several sexual partners or have had a sexual partner who has several other partners
•    Take immunosuppressant drugs (for example, after an organ transplant)
If you wish for more information please visit www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk