Cervical screening (smear test) – what’s it all about?

What is a cervical screening (smear test)?

A cervical screening (smear test) checks your cervix. The cervix is inside a woman's body at the top of the vagina. Doctors use a special tool to do this test. It helps to keep you healthy.

If you find reading hard, you can ask someone to help you. You can also use pictures or videos to understand better.

Who should have a cervical screening test?

How often should I have a cervical screening test?

A cervical screening test checks your cervix to help keep you healthy.

Here is how often you should go:

• If you are 25 to 49 years old: Go every 3 years.
• If you are 50 to 64 years old: Go every 5 years.

Tips to help remember:

• Mark it on a calendar or set a reminder on your phone.
• Ask a friend or family member to remind you.

If you have any worries or questions, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help you.

What happens during the test?

Here is what will happen when you take the test:

• First, you will get instructions. These are simple steps to follow.
• You might answer some questions or do some tasks.
• There may be a timer, but you can take your time.
• If you feel unsure, you can ask for help.

Tools that might help:

• A calculator, if you need to do math.
• A ruler for measuring.
• Someone to read things to you if you find reading hard.

Remember, the test is just to see what you know. It’s okay to try your best!

Does the test hurt?

The test might feel a little bit uncomfortable. But it should not hurt a lot.

If you are scared, you can tell a person you trust. They can help you feel better.

You can take deep breaths. Breathing slowly can help you relax.

How can I get ready for a cervical screening?

Cervical screening is a simple test to check the health of your cervix. Here are some tips to help you get ready:

• Try to book your test for a time when you're not on your period.
• Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to take off and put on.
• Relax and take deep breaths if you feel nervous.
• Bring a friend with you if it helps you feel better.
• Ask the nurse any questions you have before the test starts.

Remember, cervical screening is important for your health.

What does an abnormal result mean?

Sometimes test results show something different from what is normal. This is called an "abnormal result."

An abnormal result doesn't always mean something bad. It just means the doctor needs to check more.

The doctor might do more tests or talk with you about how you are feeling.

If you find reading hard, you can ask for help from someone like a family member, friend, or healthcare professional. They can explain things to you.

You can use a computer or phone to read text out loud. This can make it easier to understand.

What is HPV and why do we test for it?

HPV is a kind of germ that can make you sick. Some kinds of HPV can cause lumps called warts. Other kinds can lead to cancer.

We test for HPV to see if someone has the germ. If we find HPV early, doctors can help stop it from causing problems like cancer.

It's important to have tests when the doctor says. This helps keep us healthy.

You can ask your doctor if you have questions. They can also help you understand more.

Can I have a cervical screening if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant, you might want to know if you can have a cervical screening test. A cervical screening checks your cervix for any changes. It helps keep you healthy.

If you are pregnant, it is good to talk to a doctor or nurse. They will tell you the best time for your screening. Sometimes, it is better to wait until after the baby is born. The doctor or nurse can explain what is best for you.

If you need help to understand more about this, ask someone you trust. You can also use tools like pictures or videos that explain things in a simple way. Talking to a healthcare professional can also help you feel comfortable.

What should I do if my result is not normal?

If your test result is not what you expected, here are some easy steps to follow:

1. Stay calm and don’t worry too much. It’s okay to have questions.
2. Talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help you understand the result.
3. Ask a friend or family member to go with you for support.
4. Write down any questions you have, so you don’t forget them.
5. Use pictures or drawings to help you understand better.
6. Ask for more information if anything is confusing.

Is cervical screening only for women?

Cervical screening is a health test. It checks for problems in the cervix. The cervix is a part of the body inside women. But this test is not just for people who say they are women.

Some people who were born female might not call themselves women now. But they still need this screening.

Remember:

• If you were born with a cervix, you need the test.
• It helps keep you healthy.
• Talk to a doctor if you are unsure.

Tools to help:

• Use pictures to understand better.
• Ask a trusted person to help explain.
• Finding videos that show what happens can be helpful.

Can I say no to a cervical screening?

Yes, you can say no to a cervical screening test. It's your choice. If you are unsure, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help you understand it better.

Here are some tips to help you decide:

• Ask questions if you do not understand.
• Take someone you trust with you to the appointment.
• Use pictures or videos to learn more.
• Write down what you want to ask before you go.

Can you get a cervical screening for free with the NHS?

How long do I wait to get my cervical screening results?

After your cervical screening, you might wonder how long it will take to get your results.

Most people get their results in a few weeks.

If you have questions, you can ask someone you trust, like a family member, friend, or your healthcare provider.

You can also use a calendar or a reminder app to help you keep track of when to expect your results.

Where can I get a cervical screening?

You can get a cervical screening test at a doctor’s office or a health clinic.

Here is how you can make it easy and comfortable:

• Ask a friend or family member to go with you.
• Write down any questions you have before you go.
• Tell the doctor or nurse if you feel scared or nervous. They can help you feel better.
• Use a calendar or phone reminder so you don’t forget your appointment.

These tips can help make your visit easier. If you need more help, you can ask someone you trust or call the clinic for advice.

What is a cervical screening (smear test)?

A cervical screening (smear test) checks your cervix. The cervix is inside a woman's body at the top of the vagina. Doctors use a special tool to do this test. It helps to keep you healthy.

If you find reading hard, you can ask someone to help you. You can also use pictures or videos to understand better.

Who should have a cervical screening test?

How often should I have a cervical screening test?

A cervical screening test checks your cervix to help keep you healthy.

Here is how often you should go:

• If you are 25 to 49 years old: Go every 3 years.
• If you are 50 to 64 years old: Go every 5 years.

Tips to help remember:

• Mark it on a calendar or set a reminder on your phone.
• Ask a friend or family member to remind you.

If you have any worries or questions, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help you.

What happens during the test?

Here is what will happen when you take the test:

• First, you will get instructions. These are simple steps to follow.
• You might answer some questions or do some tasks.
• There may be a timer, but you can take your time.
• If you feel unsure, you can ask for help.

Tools that might help:

• A calculator, if you need to do math.
• A ruler for measuring.
• Someone to read things to you if you find reading hard.

Remember, the test is just to see what you know. It’s okay to try your best!

Does the test hurt?

The test might feel a little bit uncomfortable. But it should not hurt a lot.

If you are scared, you can tell a person you trust. They can help you feel better.

You can take deep breaths. Breathing slowly can help you relax.

How can I get ready for a cervical screening?

Cervical screening is a simple test to check the health of your cervix. Here are some tips to help you get ready:

• Try to book your test for a time when you're not on your period.
• Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to take off and put on.
• Relax and take deep breaths if you feel nervous.
• Bring a friend with you if it helps you feel better.
• Ask the nurse any questions you have before the test starts.

Remember, cervical screening is important for your health.

What does an abnormal result mean?

Sometimes test results show something different from what is normal. This is called an "abnormal result."

An abnormal result doesn't always mean something bad. It just means the doctor needs to check more.

The doctor might do more tests or talk with you about how you are feeling.

If you find reading hard, you can ask for help from someone like a family member, friend, or healthcare professional. They can explain things to you.

You can use a computer or phone to read text out loud. This can make it easier to understand.

What is HPV and why do we test for it?

HPV is a kind of germ that can make you sick. Some kinds of HPV can cause lumps called warts. Other kinds can lead to cancer.

We test for HPV to see if someone has the germ. If we find HPV early, doctors can help stop it from causing problems like cancer.

It's important to have tests when the doctor says. This helps keep us healthy.

You can ask your doctor if you have questions. They can also help you understand more.

Can I have a cervical screening if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant, you might want to know if you can have a cervical screening test. A cervical screening checks your cervix for any changes. It helps keep you healthy.

If you are pregnant, it is good to talk to a doctor or nurse. They will tell you the best time for your screening. Sometimes, it is better to wait until after the baby is born. The doctor or nurse can explain what is best for you.

If you need help to understand more about this, ask someone you trust. You can also use tools like pictures or videos that explain things in a simple way. Talking to a healthcare professional can also help you feel comfortable.

What should I do if my result is not normal?

If your test result is not what you expected, here are some easy steps to follow:

1. Stay calm and don’t worry too much. It’s okay to have questions.
2. Talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help you understand the result.
3. Ask a friend or family member to go with you for support.
4. Write down any questions you have, so you don’t forget them.
5. Use pictures or drawings to help you understand better.
6. Ask for more information if anything is confusing.

Is cervical screening only for women?

Cervical screening is a health test. It checks for problems in the cervix. The cervix is a part of the body inside women. But this test is not just for people who say they are women.

Some people who were born female might not call themselves women now. But they still need this screening.

Remember:

• If you were born with a cervix, you need the test.
• It helps keep you healthy.
• Talk to a doctor if you are unsure.

Tools to help:

• Use pictures to understand better.
• Ask a trusted person to help explain.
• Finding videos that show what happens can be helpful.

Can I say no to a cervical screening?

Yes, you can say no to a cervical screening test. It's your choice. If you are unsure, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help you understand it better.

Here are some tips to help you decide:

• Ask questions if you do not understand.
• Take someone you trust with you to the appointment.
• Use pictures or videos to learn more.
• Write down what you want to ask before you go.

Can you get a cervical screening for free with the NHS?

How long do I wait to get my cervical screening results?

After your cervical screening, you might wonder how long it will take to get your results.

Most people get their results in a few weeks.

If you have questions, you can ask someone you trust, like a family member, friend, or your healthcare provider.

You can also use a calendar or a reminder app to help you keep track of when to expect your results.

Where can I get a cervical screening?

You can get a cervical screening test at a doctor’s office or a health clinic.

Here is how you can make it easy and comfortable:

• Ask a friend or family member to go with you.
• Write down any questions you have before you go.
• Tell the doctor or nurse if you feel scared or nervous. They can help you feel better.
• Use a calendar or phone reminder so you don’t forget your appointment.

These tips can help make your visit easier. If you need more help, you can ask someone you trust or call the clinic for advice.