Cervical screening is routinely offered every three years to women aged between 25 and 49 and every five years to women aged between 50 and 64. Women on non-routine screening (where screening results have shown changes that require further investigation/follow up) will be invited up to the age of 70.
The test is designed to pick up changes to the cells in your cervix (the neck of the womb) so that they can be easily monitored or treated. Without treatment, in some cases, the changes could develop into cervical cancer. By treating changes early, many cervical cancers can be stopped before they even start.
Regular screening prevents 8 out of 10 cancers from developing so it’s important to go for a cervical screening test every time you are invited.
- Cervical screening saves around 5,000 lives every year in the UK.
- Cervical screening prevents 8 out of 10 cancers from developing.
- Regular screening is your best protection against cervical cancer.
Note: Cervical screening may not pick up all changes to the cervix or prevent every case of cervical cancer.