Cervical screening (the smear test) is one of the most effective cancer screening programmes available, preventing around 70% of cervical cancers. The NHS programme runs every 3 or 5 years depending on age. If you’d like screening sooner, outside the schedule, or in a quieter private setting, we can do it for you in a 20-minute appointment.
Educational information — not a substitute for clinical assessment
This page describes cervical screening in general terms to help you decide whether assessment may be helpful. It is not a diagnostic tool. If you recognise yourself in what follows, please book a consultation.
Cervical screening is a test for human papillomavirus (HPV) and abnormal cell changes on the cervix — the entrance to the uterus from the vagina. The test looks for changes that, if left untreated, could develop into cervical cancer over many years.
The current UK programme is “HPV primary screening” — the sample is tested for HPV first. If HPV is present, the cells are then examined for any abnormal changes. This approach is more sensitive than the older cytology-first method.
Cervical screening doesn’t diagnose cancer. It identifies women who need further assessment because they have changes that could potentially progress.
of cervical cancers are prevented by regular screening. Cervical cancer rates have fallen substantially since the NHS screening programme began.
You can have private cervical screening regardless of age or NHS schedule, but it’s most useful for:
HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common virus, mostly transmitted sexually. There are over 100 strains; around 14 are considered “high-risk” for cervical cancer. The key facts:
HPV primary screening identifies women at higher risk so they can have closer monitoring or treatment of any cell changes. Women without HPV are at very low risk in the short term — explaining why screening intervals can be longer.
The whole appointment usually takes 15–20 minutes. The actual sample collection is brief — about 30 seconds.
The test is uncomfortable for some women, fine for others. Common sensations: pressure as the speculum is inserted, brief brushing sensation as the sample is taken. Sharp pain isn’t expected; tell us if you feel any.
If you find the test difficult, painful, or distressing, options include:
If you have a history of trauma or significant anxiety about the test, tell us in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Results come back from the laboratory in 7–14 days.
The most common result. No high-risk HPV detected. Very low risk of cervical cancer in the short term. Return to the standard screening interval.
High-risk HPV present but no abnormal cells seen. Repeat screening in 12 months to check whether the HPV has cleared.
Referral to colposcopy — a specialist appointment where the cervix is examined more closely with magnification, and biopsies taken if needed. Most abnormalities can be treated as outpatient procedures with excellent outcomes.
Sometimes the sample is technically insufficient (not enough cells, blood, mucus, or other factors). The test simply needs to be repeated — this isn’t a worrying result.
We communicate all results to you. If anything is abnormal, we explain what it means, what happens next, and arrange referral. We also share the result with your NHS GP with your consent so your records stay joined up.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme is excellent — thorough, quality-controlled, and free. Most women should use the NHS programme as their routine screening. Private screening is useful when:
Our results are processed by the same UK accredited laboratories that handle NHS samples — the test quality is identical.
Cervical screening is for women without symptoms. If you have symptoms, you need a different assessment — a smear test alone isn’t enough.
See us promptly for any of:
These symptoms warrant proper gynaecological assessment, often including pelvic examination, swabs, and ultrasound — not just a smear test.
Book a private cervical screening appointment if:
Current prices are on our Fees page. The fee covers consultation, sample collection, laboratory processing, and result communication.
Routine cervical screening is usually NOT covered by UK PMI policies because it’s available free on the NHS. Coverage for follow-up of abnormal results varies. We’ll provide procedure codes if you wish to claim.
Yes — cervical screening isn’t dependent on sexual activity. However, the risk of HPV-related cervical cancer is very low without sexual activity, so screening is less important. NHS guidance suggests you can opt out if you’ve never been sexually active — though some women still prefer to screen.
Yes — you’re eligible. HPV can still be transmitted between female partners. NHS screening is for everyone with a cervix.
If you have a cervix, you may be eligible for screening regardless of gender identity. We provide screening in a respectful, gender-affirming way. Trans men registered with NHS as male may not be invited automatically — private screening can fill the gap.
Yes. The vaccine protects against the highest-risk strains but not all. Vaccinated women still need routine cervical screening.
Usually not, if your cervix was removed and the hysterectomy wasn’t for cancer reasons. The remaining vaginal vault doesn’t need routine screening. If you had a partial (subtotal) hysterectomy with cervix preserved, you do still need screening.
HPV primary screening is highly accurate at identifying women at risk. No screening test is perfect — there’s a small false negative rate. Regular screening is what makes the system work; one test alone isn’t guaranteed.
Tell us — we can pause, use a smaller speculum, change technique, or refer for self-sampling options in some cases. Your comfort matters.
Cervical screening during pregnancy is generally deferred until after delivery unless there’s a specific reason. Talk to us if you’re pregnant and your screening is due.
Care at MHW Clinic is delivered by a small clinical team, with Dr Haydar Bolat as Clinical Director. The specific clinicians involved in your care depend on the plan agreed with you at consultation.
UK-registered GP and Clinical Director at MHW. Provides cervical screening including pre-test discussion, sample collection, and follow-up of results with onward referral to colposcopy where indicated.
View profileLanguages spoken across the team: English, Turkish, Bulgarian, Bengali, Hindi, Albanian, Azerbaijani, German, Romanian. We can also arrange professional telephone interpreters in most other languages at no extra cost. More on languages and interpreters →
This page was reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat, Clinical Director at MHW Clinic. Content is based on NHS Cervical Screening Programme guidance, NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries on cervical screening, and current UK clinical practice and current UK clinical practice. It is updated when guidance changes. Educational information only — not a substitute for clinical assessment.
Book a quick screening appointment. Most women find private screening calmer, faster, and easier to schedule than the NHS process.