Cervical screening is a way of detecting early changes to cells of the cervix. The first stage in cervical screening is taking a sample of cells from the cervix. The sample can be taken using either a method known as liquid-based cytology or a cervical smear.

There are NHS cervical screening programmes in the UK. The ages at which women are invited to attend and how often screening takes place varies slightly between the four countries.

In England:

• women are sent their first invitation for routine cervical screening at the age of 25
• between the ages of 25 and 49 you are invited for cervical screening every three years
• from the age of 50 to 64 you are invited for screening every five years.

In Scotland, cervical screening is offered every three years to women aged between 20 and 60.

In Wales, women aged between 20 and 64 are called for a cervical screening test every three years.

In Northern Ireland, women aged between 20 and 64 are currently called for a cervical screening test every five years. However this is in the process of changing so women will be offered cervical screening every three years when they are aged 25–49 and every five years when they are 50–64 (the same as in England).

Once they reach the age of 60–65 (depending on the country where they live), women are no longer invited to have cervical screening unless they have had recent cervical changes. The reason for an upper age limit is because if the cells in the cervix are normal at this time, it is very unlikely that a cancer will develop in later years.

Women aged 60 and over who have never had a screening test are entitled to have one. Women of any age who have had treatment for abnormal cells on the cervix may need to have a screening test more often than suggested above. Your GP can discuss this with you.

You will be sent a letter from your local primary care trust or GP asking you to make an appointment for your screening test. Most women choose to have the test done by their practice nurse or GP. You can ask to have it done by a female doctor or nurse if you prefer.

Cervical screening tests can also be done at community clinics, such as family planning, Well Woman, sexual health or genito-urinary clinics. NHS Direct in England and Wales (telephone 0845 46 47), or NHS 24 in Scotland (0845 4242 424), can give you details of your local clinics.