What cervical screening is…
A cervical screening test is a free test to check the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina. It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to see if you are at risk of developing cancer. If you have a cervix, you can get cervical cancer.
Nine in 10 cervical cancers are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is spread through any kind of sexual contact with a man or a woman. HPV that doesn’t go away is called persistent HPV. This can cause changes to the cells of the cervix over time. But HPV is not the only cause of cervical cancer. You can get cervical cancer if you have never had sex.
You should book your cervical screening test and go to it when it is due.
Check eligibility
Using your PPS number check if you are due a test here.
Who should have cervical screening
Women and anyone with a cervix between the age of 25 and 65 should go for a cervical screening test when it’s due.
Reducing your risk
You can reduce your risk of getting cervical cancer by:
– attending all your cervical screening appointments when they are due
– getting symptoms checked
– having treatment and extra tests when advised
– getting the HPV vaccine in school