NHS Cervical Screening Programme FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

• I'm trying to get pregnant - should I have cervical screening?

• I have always attended for cervical screening and have never had an abnormal result. Now I'm pregnant, should I accept my invitation?

• When is the best time in the menstrual cycle to have cervical screening?

• Will cervical screening pick up any other infections?

• I've had a hysterectomy - do I still need cervical screening?

• My cervical screening test showed borderline changes. Why do I have to wait six months for a repeat test-won't they get worse?

I'm trying to get pregnant - should I have cervical screening?

We don't normally recommend that a woman should have cervical screening when she is (or might be) pregnant, but this would depend in an individual case on her previous history. If you've had abnormal smears in the past, for example, or if you haven't accepted your past invitations for screening, then you should consult your doctor or practice nurse to ask for advice.

I have always attended for cervical screening and have never had an abnormal result. Now I'm pregnant, should I accept my invitation?

If you have a normal smear history then it's better to wait until about three months after the delivery before you go for cervical screening.

When is the best time in the menstrual cycle to have cervical screening?

Mid -cycle (usually 14 days after your last period) is the best time because a clearer background to the sample can be gained around this time. This is because the mucus plug is at its thinnest so the sample is less likely to be masked or contain mucus. Also, the epithelium (lining) is at its thickest so the sample taken contains a full range of cells. But it's not a strict rule, so do take advice from your doctor or practice nurse if you can't make an appointment at that time.

Will cervical screening pick up any other infections?

It might, but that's not really the aim of the programme which is to detect and treat early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cervical cancer. Incidental findings of infections are not part of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme but may be reported and acted upon according to local protocols.

I've had a hysterectomy - do I still need cervical screening?

The sort of smears which are sometimes taken after hysterectomy are not the routine ones that women have in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, but are vault smears. They are part of surgical follow-up and depend upon the reason for the hysterectomy, what was found at the time, and whether or not the abnormal cells were completely removed. The surgical team who performed the operation will decide what kind of follow-up is appropriate and you should talk it over with them. Normally speaking, if you do not have a cervix, then you do not need cervical screening.

My cervical screening test showed borderline changes. Why do I have to wait six months for a repeat test-won't they get worse?

The reason we repeat the test in six months is to give minor changes a chance to get better without any treatment which is what usually happens. If the repeat test is normal, you will be asked to have one more test in six to twelve months' time to check that the cells are still healthy. You can then go back to receiving routine invitations as before. If your repeat test still shows borderline changes (also called mild dyskaryosis), you may be referred for a colposcopy.