Cervical screening, formally known as a ‘smear test’, is a test that checks the health of your cervix and helps to prevent cervical cancer. Cervical screening is routinely offered to women and people with a cervix who are aged between 25 to 64. If you’re a transgender man or non-binary person with a cervix, you can talk to your GP about receiving routine screening invitations.
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What is cervical screening?
What to expect during an appointment
Booking a cervical screening appointment
When it’s time for your cervical screening, you’ll receive an invitation via the NHS App, text message, or letter. The invitation will include information on where you can have the screening and how to book your appointment.
Cervical screenings usually take place at the health centre and are performed by a female nurse or doctor.
To book your appointment, please call us on: 01392 255722 or fill out an eConsult here
Who is at risk of cervical cancer?
Anyone with a cervix who has had any type of sexual contact — with a man or a woman — may be at risk of cervical cancer. This is because almost all cervical cancers are caused by high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV can be passed on through:
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Vaginal, oral, or anal sex
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Any skin-to-skin contact in the genital area
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Sharing sex toys
You may still be at risk of cervical cancer even if:
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You’ve had the HPV vaccine – it doesn’t protect against all types of HPV
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You’ve had only one sexual partner – HPV can be passed on the first time you’re sexually active
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You’ve been with the same partner for a long time or haven’t had sex recently – HPV can stay in the body for a long time without causing symptoms
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You’re lesbian or bisexual – HPV can be passed through any sexual contact, regardless of your partner’s gender
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You’re a transgender man with a cervix
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You’ve had a partial hysterectomy that didn’t remove your entire cervix
If you’ve never had any kind of sexual contact, you may choose not to attend cervical screening, but you’re still welcome to have the test if you wish.
If you’re unsure whether cervical screening is right for you, speak with your GP or nurse for advice.
When will you be invited for cervical screening?
| Age | When you’re invited |
|---|---|
| Under 25 | Up to 6 months before you turn 25 |
| 25 to 49 | Every 3 years |
| 50 to 64 | Every 5 years |
| 65 or older | Only if a recent test was abnormal |
Changes to cervical screening intervals: From 1st July 2025, the routine cervical screening interval will be extended from 3 to 5 years for individuals aged 25 to 49 who test negative for high-risk HPV at their screening appointment.
Research shows that those who test negative for HPV have a low risk of developing cervical cancer within the following 10 years. Individuals whose results show the presence of HPV, or who have a recent history of HPV, will continue to be invited for more frequent screening. This ensures that any persistent infection is monitored and any cell changes are detected and managed early.
How to opt-out
If you prefer not to receive invitations for cervical screening, you can opt out by:
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Writing a letter to your GP requesting removal from the cervical screening list.
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Completing an informed choice form available on the Cervical Screening Administration Service (CSAS) website. You may submit the form online yourself or provide a completed copy to your GP to submit on your behalf.
You can choose to be re-added to the screening list at any time by contacting your GP if you decide to resume participation.
Transgender or non-binary individuals
If you are a transgender man or non-binary individual with a cervix, the way you receive cervical screening invitations depends on the sex recorded with your GP:
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If you are registered as female with your GP, you will automatically receive invitations for cervical screening.
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If you are registered as male, you can still receive automatic invitations by contacting the health centre to request this.
If you are a transgender woman or non-binary individual without a cervix, cervical screening is not necessary. However, if you are registered as female with your GP, you may still receive invitations. In this case, you can contact the health centre (tel: 01392 255722) to stop receiving these invitations.
Your results
Cervical screening results are usually sent to you by letter, but there may some instances where you are asked to call the health centre to get your results.
During your cervical screening appointment, the nurse or doctor will tell you when to expect your results. If you have waited longer than expected, please call the health centre (tel: 01392 255722).
A delay in getting your results does not mean anything is wrong, and most people will have a normal result.
Help & Support
For further help and support for cervical screening, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/further-help-and-support/
Resources
- Understanding Cervical Screening Booklet – Download
- Understanding Cervical Screening (easy-read) Booklet – Download
- Cervical Screening (easy-read) Poster – Download
NHS Website
For further details regarding cervical screening, please visit the NHS website:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/
Page created: 8th April 2025
Page updated: 3rd July 2025