Body & health

Cervical screening

Alsosmear testPap smearPap testHPV testcervical smearsmear testsPap screening

Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.

Definition

Cervical screening is a routine test that checks cells from the cervix for high-risk HPV and early changes that could develop into cervical cancer if left untreated.

At a glance

  • Cervical screening checks cells from the cervix for high-risk HPV and early changes.
  • Many countries now test first for high-risk HPV and only look at the cells if HPV is found.
  • The test takes a few minutes and is usually uncomfortable rather than painful.
  • Anyone with a cervix, including trans men and non-binary people, may be eligible.
  • Screening is not for symptoms: bleeding after sex, between periods or after menopause should be checked straight away.

In detail

A clinician uses a speculum to see the cervix and a small brush to collect cells; it takes a few minutes and is usually uncomfortable rather than painful. Many countries now test first for high-risk HPV types and only look at the cells if HPV is found. Self-sampling kits are offered in some places.

Screening intervals and age ranges differ by country. Anyone with a cervix, including trans men and non-binary people, may be eligible. The test is not for symptoms: bleeding after sex, between periods or after menopause should be checked by a doctor straight away, even if screening was recent.

In a sentence

  • My cervical screening letter arrived, so I booked an appointment with the practice nurse.
  • He asked his clinic whether he still needed cervical screening after starting testosterone.

Where the word comes from

An older name is the Pap test or Pap smear, after the Greek-American doctor George Papanicolaou, who developed the cell test in the first half of the 20th century. In the UK it was long called a smear test.

Not to be confused with

  • STI testing

    Cervical screening does not test for chlamydia, gonorrhoea or other STIs.

Common questions

Does cervical screening hurt?

For most people it is uncomfortable rather than painful and takes a few minutes. You can ask for a smaller speculum, take someone with you, or ask the clinician to stop at any time. Some places offer self-sampling kits.

Do trans men and non-binary people need cervical screening?

Anyone with a cervix may be eligible, regardless of gender. Screening rules differ by country, so a doctor or sexual health clinic can explain what applies to you.

I had a normal result recently but have unusual bleeding. Should I wait?

No. Screening is not a test for symptoms. Bleeding after sex, between periods or after menopause should be checked by a doctor straight away, even if your last screening was recent.

Related terms

Sources

  1. NHSCervical screening
  2. ACOGCervical Cancer Screening
  3. MedlinePlusCervical Cancer Screening