What Is Cervical Screening?
Cervical screening (or a cervical/pap smear) is a method of finding abnormal cells on the cervix (the entrance to the womb from the vagina).
At your screening appointment, you’ll be asked to undress from the waist down and lie on a bed. A speculum will be gently inserted into your vagina and holds the walls of the vagina open. A soft brush will then be inserted to collect some cells from the surface of your cervix.
Who Is Cervical Screening For?
Women of all ages can develop cervical cancer, although the condition mainly affects sexually active women aged 30-45.
Why Have A Cervical Screening Test Done?
Finding and removing abnormal cells from your cervix can prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages, which is why it’s so important to have cervical screening done to ensure the cervix is healthy.
Symptoms of cervical cancer vary, but can include:
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
- menstrual bleeding that is longer and heavier than usual
- bleeding after intercourse
- increased vaginal discharge
- pain during sexual intercourse
- bleeding after menopause
- unexplained, persistent pelvic and/or back pain
It’s important to note that, whilst cervical screening is not a test for cervical cancer, it can detect abnormalities in the cells of the cervix that can lead to cancer.
How Often Is Cervical Screening Done?
Unlike on the NHS, which only offers cervical screening every 3-5 years once you reach the age of 25, Dr Penman recommends that if you are sexually active and over 20 years, that you come for a cervical smear every 3 years.
Under 20 years, generally the virus that is thought to cause cervical changes, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), is transient and the body is capable of clearing it. It is the persistence of this virus that leads to the changes in the cervix that can lead onto cervical cancer.
When Will I Know My Test Result?
If you have your cervical smear conducted on the NHS, you’ll hear the result within 2-6 weeks. Regardless of your age, if your test results are abnormal the NHS will re-check the results and may retest, but then only invite you back for testing after 1-5 years.
However, if you choose to have the smear done privately with Dr Penman, you’ll hear the results within 10 days.
If there are any details that require discussion regarding your cervical smear test result, Dr Penman will ring you and discuss the findings with you and invite you back for a follow-up consultation where he can discuss them further and recommend any further treatment if this is necessary.
Abnormal Results
Approximately 1 in 20 cervical screening tests show cervical changes. The majority will not lead to cancer as the cells will return to normal over time. However, in some cases, the cells will remain abnormal and require treatment to ensure that they do not become cancerous. Should your test show abnormal results, Dr Penman will advise you and arrange further treatment if required.
How Do I Book A Private Cervical Screening Test With Dr Penman?
You can book your cervical screening test by clicking on the appointment button below.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Please make sure that you are not on your period when you come for your smear test as this makes the collection of cells from the cervix impossible.
Woah, I never realized cervical smears were this important – thanks for the info – getting myself booked in now!
Hi Melodie,
We’re really glad to hear our post was helpful for you – see you soon in clinic!
my business partner’s wife is scheduled to have a cervical screening and he Is really nervous. 1 out of 20 seems like a high abnormal result. Based on your experience what percentage of abnormal results end up being a cause for worry?
It would be helpful to be prepared as well as to prepare him.
Thank you!
The cervical smear is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. It will pick up any abnormal cells but not tell you what level of abnormality there is present. Anyone with a detection of abnormal cells will go for further tests which will diagnose the level of the abnormality. So the 1 in 20 is not high as the high majority of those will be in the very early stages of slight alteration in the cells so not cancerous, but precancerous. They will be monitored but not necessarily treated as frequently over time these cells revert back to normal. As… Read more »
Thanks for this helpful and informative article highlighting why it’s so important for women to have cervical screenings done on a regular basis. I especially appreciate the list of possible symptoms of cervical cancer as I have never seen them listed quite so clearly. Thankfully I am experiencing none of them, but you have reminded me to make an appointment with my doctor for my next routine screening. Thank you!
Routine testing is important for every sexually active woman and not something we should think a being an embarrassment. Its the same as a man getting his prostate checked. They can be done without an anaesthetic, are mildly uncomfortable which is of no significance to be told that you are fine and have no issues. A relief to know that you are healthy. Im glad that it has prompted you to go get checked !
Thank you for this post, I have been doing screenings since i was 25, and it is so important to keep track. Was surprised that some doctors were telling patients to start at 35! I feel a woman should start as soon as she is sexually active! Thank you for all the info!
Thankyou Sahar, its quite unbelievable that patients are told such differing ages, you are right though as soon as you are sexually active, you should be having smears. A quick test for something that could kill you.
Thank you for sharing this post , this topic can be somewhat uncomfortable to discuss. I been trying to get my partner to go get a cervical screening and a mammogram but she is reluctant to do so .. I think I will be sending her the link to this post and maybe that will inspire her .
Thankyou Rick, I hope by talking about a subject like this that is understandably delicate, it brings the subject to the forefront and people are less reticent about discussing it. I think if we talked about it more, there would be less worry and misinformation. Young women die of cervical cancer, leaving frequently, children behind. It is avoided and can be treated if caught early. I hope you can support your partner and encourage her to go to her GP.
I am not a woman. But I think that this article can help my mom, girlfriend, and any other woman that I know. I will let them knkw about this article. It just has so much helpful information!
I have a question: how much does the cervical screening test cost?
And how much does it cost if it is done by Dr. Penman himself?
Thankyou Fredery, it is good for men to be informed of this test too, so they can support the women in their life to look after their health by having a cervical smear. It saves lives and is so quick and simple to do. Dr Penman does all the cervical smears, with the accompaniment of a female nurse. He charges £118 which includes all the laboratory testing.
I have been doing screenings since I was 25, I find it very important and I would never miss it even though my doctor told me i can do it every 2 years if results are normal. I was surprised to hear that some doctors are advising to start at 35. I feel every sexual active woman should do it annually. Thank you for this informative post.
Starting at 35 years for a cervical smear test is very late. 25 years is the usual time to start although Dr Penman does smear tests on women from 18 years if they are sexually active. In the UK, the test is not done every year, only every 3 years.
This test is really important. Thank you for this informative article. In my country women tend to have different health issues with reproductive organs. It is a must for every woman to have at least one check up a year.
I am a father and a husband and I will get to know my wife with this test. You did a great job here. I really appreciate your blog. My second time here and had to give a thumbs up.
Strahinja
Thankyou Strahinja! This is a very important test for women. Many think it is not important or cancer would not happen to them because they are so young. But this is not the case and to lose a mother to cancer of the cervix because they didnt get this test is heartbreaking. In the UK it is performed every 3 years up to age 50 then every 5 years up to age 65.
Thank you for this good information and it’s also easy to read.
I have always had my pap smear thinking that was to check for abnormal cells that could lead to cancer.
I certainly understand the need for the screening. However, I’m not sure I understand the difference between a Pap smear and a HPV test. Is it necessary to have both?
Thanks again,
V. Pearl
Thankyou Vanna for an interesting comment and question. The pap smear or cervical smear (UK) are the screening test for abnormal cells on the cervix. The human papilloma virus is thought to be the cause for abnormal cells on the cervix and an HPV test will tell you if you have the virus but not if you have abnormal cells on the cervix. so by performing a pap smear or cervical smear you are looking for those abnormal cells. Right now, the pap smear or cervical smear is the test of choice for detecting those abnormal cells but there has… Read more »
Even though I have been doing a pap smear for years, I did not know exactly what was being done to me. The doctor usually explain the procedure, but not as explicitly as you have done in this post. I surely do appreciate your simple yet detail information here. Certainly, this is worth sharing with my nieces. At what age do you stop doing this cervical screening test?
Thankyou Carol, it is very good to know that we are able to explain in detail what happens. The cervical smear is usually reduced from the age of 50 to every 5 years up to the age of 65. Generally if you have had 3 clear tests in the last 10 years leading up to being 64, you will no longer require a test. If you have had abnormal results you will continue to be monitored. If a woman has not been screened in the last 15 years leading up to 64 then she is asked to attend for a… Read more »
Thanks for creating this post it is really important for awareness of cervical cancer, I have exposed my family especially every female in my house to this article and it’s has been helpful for them and they have all gone for test. What is the main cause of cervical cancer can you please identify them so as to take precautions against them. Having a cancer is Not a good thing at all, the pain and fear is just too much to burden. It is better for one to be safe.
Thankyou Oloyede. The main cause thought to be responsible for cervical cancer is the human papilloma virus. It is sexually transmitted and most women fight it off like they would the common cold but for some this does not happen and whilst it may be present, it does not necessarily mean that there will be abnormal cells on the cervix. There are vaccinations for this virus available now but for them to be effective they have to be administered before the woman is sexually active. However, if the woman is responsible and wants to continue to be healthy, a simple… Read more »
Thank you for sharing this valuable information. I am in my late sixties but I faithfully went to the doctor once a year and had this test done up until a couple of years ago.
This is great education for women – hopefully many will see this article and take your advice.
You were very lucky Mary Ann, most countries only offer a service every 3-5 years. This is why Dr Penman offers it as part of his services, to ensure that all women who want the reassurance of knowing they are healthy, can get that information quickly, usually within 10 days.
This is a very informative article, thanks for sharing. We all know that cervical cancer or any other cancer for that matter is a scare. After reading your post, I feel that all women, especially those sexually active ought to undergo screening so that threats of infected cells are eliminated.
As an initiative, am going to enlighten women around me that qualify for this test to have it done as it can be the difference between developing cervical cancer and not.
Thanks for sharing, best regards.
That is very thoughtful of you Victor, to enlighten your friends and family to this very important screening test. A simple appointment, no longer than 5-10 minutes and the test is done. Reassurance that they are healthy.
cervical screening is of vital importance to help prevent cervical cancer and give an early detection. My ex wife had a scare when she went for her scan and luckily abnormal cells were detected early and dealt with.
I think your post is one of the most important articles I have read and I commend you for publishing it.
Thankyou Darren, it is a simple test to administer and the reassurance that everything is healthy is beyond words, I am sorry to hear that your ex partner was found to have abnormal cells but as you have said, it was caught in good time and was treated successfully which is why the test is so important. If abnormal cells are found, they are usually in the very early stages and can be dealt with promptly.
Very useful information posted. Thank a lot. Being a man, I surely did not know that it can be this serious and even fatal. I will pass this information to my wife. I have a question, my wife for a certain period of time showed most of the signs stated. We have been to the doctor but the doctor did not request to do a test or screening but requested a blood test instead. Hopefully, she is now cured and we had a follow up with the doctor. After the last examination, the doctor found that nothing was abnormal with… Read more »
I cannot give medical advice without seeing the patient involved but if you are worried, i would recommend asking your doctor to perform a cervical smear test. Thankyou for reading the article !
Hello, I was wondering why the suggestion for cervical screening is every 3 years? I have always been told every 2 years. So as much I wish it wasn’t that frequent ,I still dutifully go and have the screening every 2 years. I’m wondering if the advice has changed, or I just have an overly cautious Doctor? That said I don’t mind Doctors being overly cautious!! Anyway thanks for the information and I look forward to hearing from you.
Thankyou Melissa. The article is written with the uk population in mind, which might be why the information differs slightly. The NHS recommend every 3 years up to age 50 then every 5 year up to age 64. These are general guidelines and if your doctor has recommended every two years, thats good advice to take!
Cervical Screening is one of the most recommended test for early cancer detection. Thank you for writing about this important issue that sometimes is left aside for being a little annoying and quite uncomfortable. It is very important for women health and to have, if necessary, the correct treatment. Dr recommends it every 3 years, if every thing is OK.Thank you again for promote women health 🙂
Thankyou Maria, you are right, it is often a test that is overlooked and not talked about but is essential for all sexually active women. It is only mildly uncomfortable for a few seconds whilst the speculum is in position but with early detection, it can be easily treated without the need for chemotherapy. We will continue talking about it and hoping to protect more women from cervical cancer.
I couldn’t imagine waiting 2-6 weeks for the results of the test to come back. Although this can be a little scary for women to go through it is certainly better to know the results of such a test to help you in the case that it can be detected early enough to do something more helpful about it. It is good to look out for these symptoms so that you can be aware of the possibilites and get tested to find out for sure so that something can be done about it eary on.
Thankyou Shy, your comments are valid, it can be scary but the actual test is over in a few minutes. Its only a few moments of very mild discomfort, for the reassurances that there is nothing to worry about. It is a long time to wait, and the waiting time is not getting any better. Dr Penman can receive a result within 10 days, which is such a relief!