NHSGGC - Cervical Cancer Screening - English

What is cervical cancer screening?

Cervical cancer screening is a test. It looks for signs of cancer in the cervix. The cervix is a part inside a woman's body. It connects the uterus (where a baby grows) to the vagina.

Doctors do this test to find cancer early. Finding it early means it can be treated better.

Here are some tips to help understand the test:

• Ask a doctor or nurse to explain what happens in the test.
• You can ask questions if you are not sure.
• Take a friend or family member with you for support.

Who should go for cervical cancer tests?

How often should I have a check-up?

You should go for a health check-up sometimes to stay healthy. How often you go depends on your age and health. Ask your doctor how often you need to go.

Helpful tip: Use a calendar to write down your check-up dates. You can also use reminders on your phone.

How do they do the screening test?

The screening test is a way to check if you are healthy. Here is how they do it:

• First, you go to the doctor or nurse.
• They might ask you some questions about your health.
• They will do some checks, like measuring your height and weight.
• They may also take a small sample of your blood.
• All these things help them see if you are healthy.

Here are some tips to make it easier:

• Bring someone with you if you feel nervous.
• Ask the doctor or nurse to explain things slowly.
• Take deep breaths to stay calm.

This is to make sure you feel good and stay healthy!

Can I make my appointment at a different time?

You can choose a time that works for you. If you need help, you can:

• Ask a family member or friend to help you.
• Call the health clinic for advice.
• Use a calendar or reminder app to remember your appointment.

What if my test results are not normal?

Do I still need to check for cervical cancer if I've had the HPV shot?

The HPV shot helps keep you safe from a virus that can cause cervical cancer. But you still need to check for cancer in your cervix.

Checking helps catch any problems early. Early treatment works better.

Ask a doctor when you need these checks.

To remember your check-ups, use a calendar or phone reminder.

Can I have a cervical screening test if I'm pregnant?

If you are pregnant, you usually wait until after you have your baby to have the cervical screening test.

It is safe to wait. You can talk to your doctor or nurse if you have questions.

If you need help understanding, ask someone you trust to explain it to you.

What are the risks of checking for cervical cancer?

Checking for cervical cancer is called a screening test. This test helps find cancer early.

Here are some things to think about when you go for this test:

• False Alarms: Sometimes the test says there might be cancer, but there isn't. This can make you feel worried.
• Missed Cancers: The test might not see that cancer is there. This means it could be missed.
• Extra Tests: If the test finds something, you might need more tests. These can be uncomfortable.

If you are worried or have questions, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help explain things.

Will I be told my results?

Is it okay to ask for a woman nurse for the check-up?

If you want, you can ask for a woman nurse to help you. You can tell the people at the check-up what makes you feel comfortable.

Here are some tips to help:

• Ask a friend or family member to come with you.
• Write down your questions before you go.
• Tell the nurse if you have any worries or need help.

What do I do if I feel sick but my last check-up was okay?

How can I get ready for my check-up appointment?

Here are some simple steps to help you get ready for your check-up:

• Ask for help: You can ask a family member or friend to come with you.
• Write it down: Make a list of any questions you have.
• Bring what you need: Take any papers or forms you have been given.
• Take notes: Write down what the doctor says to remember later.

You can also use tools like picture books or charts to help understand better.

Do you have to pay for cervical cancer tests?

What can I do if I forget my appointment?

Here are some simple steps to help:

• Stay calm. It's okay to miss things sometimes.
• Check if you can make a new appointment. Call or email the place you had the appointment with.
• Write down the new date and time so you won't forget again.

Helpful tools: You can use a calendar or a reminder app on your phone to remember appointments.

What is cervical cancer screening?

Cervical cancer screening is a test. It looks for signs of cancer in the cervix. The cervix is a part inside a woman's body. It connects the uterus (where a baby grows) to the vagina.

Doctors do this test to find cancer early. Finding it early means it can be treated better.

Here are some tips to help understand the test:

• Ask a doctor or nurse to explain what happens in the test.
• You can ask questions if you are not sure.
• Take a friend or family member with you for support.

Who should go for cervical cancer tests?

How often should I have a check-up?

You should go for a health check-up sometimes to stay healthy. How often you go depends on your age and health. Ask your doctor how often you need to go.

Helpful tip: Use a calendar to write down your check-up dates. You can also use reminders on your phone.

How do they do the screening test?

The screening test is a way to check if you are healthy. Here is how they do it:

• First, you go to the doctor or nurse.
• They might ask you some questions about your health.
• They will do some checks, like measuring your height and weight.
• They may also take a small sample of your blood.
• All these things help them see if you are healthy.

Here are some tips to make it easier:

• Bring someone with you if you feel nervous.
• Ask the doctor or nurse to explain things slowly.
• Take deep breaths to stay calm.

This is to make sure you feel good and stay healthy!

Can I make my appointment at a different time?

You can choose a time that works for you. If you need help, you can:

• Ask a family member or friend to help you.
• Call the health clinic for advice.
• Use a calendar or reminder app to remember your appointment.

What if my test results are not normal?

Do I still need to check for cervical cancer if I've had the HPV shot?

The HPV shot helps keep you safe from a virus that can cause cervical cancer. But you still need to check for cancer in your cervix.

Checking helps catch any problems early. Early treatment works better.

Ask a doctor when you need these checks.

To remember your check-ups, use a calendar or phone reminder.

Can I have a cervical screening test if I'm pregnant?

If you are pregnant, you usually wait until after you have your baby to have the cervical screening test.

It is safe to wait. You can talk to your doctor or nurse if you have questions.

If you need help understanding, ask someone you trust to explain it to you.

What are the risks of checking for cervical cancer?

Checking for cervical cancer is called a screening test. This test helps find cancer early.

Here are some things to think about when you go for this test:

• False Alarms: Sometimes the test says there might be cancer, but there isn't. This can make you feel worried.
• Missed Cancers: The test might not see that cancer is there. This means it could be missed.
• Extra Tests: If the test finds something, you might need more tests. These can be uncomfortable.

If you are worried or have questions, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help explain things.

Will I be told my results?

Is it okay to ask for a woman nurse for the check-up?

If you want, you can ask for a woman nurse to help you. You can tell the people at the check-up what makes you feel comfortable.

Here are some tips to help:

• Ask a friend or family member to come with you.
• Write down your questions before you go.
• Tell the nurse if you have any worries or need help.

What do I do if I feel sick but my last check-up was okay?

How can I get ready for my check-up appointment?

Here are some simple steps to help you get ready for your check-up:

• Ask for help: You can ask a family member or friend to come with you.
• Write it down: Make a list of any questions you have.
• Bring what you need: Take any papers or forms you have been given.
• Take notes: Write down what the doctor says to remember later.

You can also use tools like picture books or charts to help understand better.

Do you have to pay for cervical cancer tests?

What can I do if I forget my appointment?

Here are some simple steps to help:

• Stay calm. It's okay to miss things sometimes.
• Check if you can make a new appointment. Call or email the place you had the appointment with.
• Write down the new date and time so you won't forget again.

Helpful tools: You can use a calendar or a reminder app on your phone to remember appointments.