Cervical cancer is the 12th most common cancer in women in Scotland.
Cervical screening is also known as the ‘smear test’. The test checks the skin cells from your cervix (the neck of the womb). It picks up changes to the skin cells in your cervix so that they can be monitored or treated. Without monitoring and treatment some changes can develop into cervical cancer.
Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 to 49 every three years and to women aged 50 to 64 every five years. Some, but not all, changes found by cervical screening tests may give an early warning sign of the possibility of developing cervical cancer. Women under the age of 25 who have already been invited for screening may be invited again before they reach 25. It’s important to go for screening every time you’re invited.
Your smear test only takes five minutes and the nurse or GP can answer any questions you have. It’s normal for women to feel a bit embarrassed, especially at their very first appointment, but remember we carry out smear tests every day. If something has happened to you in the past that makes you worried about getting a cervical screening test, speak to your doctor or nurse about the help available.
Nine out of 10 women’s results show no changes to cells in their cervix. For the one in 10 women who has changes some need extra smear tests and some need further investigations at a specialist clinic. Sometimes there are not enough cells in the sample to examine, or only minor changes to your cells. This is common and you’ll be invited to repeat the test.
By dealing with this at an early stage, many cervical cancers can be stopped before they start. In this way, cervical screening saves around 5,000 lives every year in the UK and prevents eight out of ten cervical cancers developing.
For more information on cervical screening, you can:
- talk to your GP or practice nurse
- visit https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/screening/cervical-screening-smear-test/ or
- call 0800 22 44 88 (textphone 18001 0800 22 44 88).
The helpline is open every day 8am to 10pm and also provides an interpreting service.