In the UK, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women under 35 (after breast cancer). About 2,800 women a year are diagnosed with cervical cancer.

It is estimated that early detection and treatment can prevent up to 75% of cervical cancers from developing.

All women aged 25 - 64 need to have regular cervical screening tests (around every three years) to prevent cervical cancer. Nationally there is an increasing downward trend in women attending cervical screening appointments particularly in younger women aged 25-35 years.

Around your 25th Birthday you should receive a letter from your GP inviting you for the test. Please be sure to book in straight away. You cannot be tested during your period so make sure you get an appointment before or after your period is due. The best time is in the middle of your cycle. It is also advisable not to have intercourse the night before the test as semen on the test slide can obstruct the test and may need to be repeated

• At a Postnatal Check a cervical smear test may be discussed if you haven't had one in the past three years. This is usually delayed until three months after delivery.

If you are over 25 and have not had an invite you should contact your GP to query this.

What is cervical screening?

 Cervical screening is a quick test to check the lower part of the womb (cervix) for any changes in cells.

 For one in 20 women the test shows changes in cells, most of these changes will not lead to cervical cancer.
 It is important to remember that the test is designed not to prevent cancer but to show abnormal cells.

What happens at the test?

The nurse or doctor will take you into a private room and ask you to lie down on a couch.

You won't be asked to fully undress just from the waist down or if you wear a skirt you will not have to remove this

They will then gently put a small instrument, called a speculum, into your vagina to hold it open.

Most people won't feel any pain or discomfort. If you feel uncomfortable, let the doctor or nurse know.

Then they will wipe a brush-like device around the cervix to pick up some cells. They will transfer these into a small container of liquid.

The cells will be sent away for examination in a laboratory.

You will be sent your results by post. If in the rare case that abnormal cells are detected you will be called back to see your GP.

If all is clear you will not have to have another smear test for 3 years if you are aged between 25 and 49, and every five years between 50-64 years.

Always make sure the practice or clinic has your correct address and contact details

Why do I need cervical screening?

 Not going for cervical screening is one of the biggest risk factors for developing cervical cancer.
 Cervical cancer is a serious disease that affects both young and older women.
 If spotted early it can be stopped before it's too late.
 900 women in the UK die from cervical cancer every year - many because they didn't attend their screening tests regularly.

Cervical cancer is rare in the following people:

Women who are not sexually active

The risk of cervical cancer is very low in women who have never been sexually active. As the risk is so low, women in this category may choose not to have a cervical screening test when invited.
However, if you are not currently in a sexual relationship but have been in the past, it is recommended that you have regular cervical screening.

Women over 65

Women aged 65 and over who have had three normal test results in a row are not called back for further cervical screening tests. It is very unlikely that women in this category will go on to develop cervical cancer.

Women who have had a hysterectomy

Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the womb and cervix) will no longer be invited to attend cervical screening.

You can have a test at your GP practice or at one of the local family planning or women's clinics

Up to 4,500 lives will be saved each year in England by cervical screening.

Not going for cervical screening is one of the biggest risk factors for developing cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer rates have halved since the 1980s largely due to most women having cervical screening tests.

HPV Vaccine

Since September 2008, there has been a national programme to vaccinate girls aged 12 to 13 against human papilloma virus (HPV). There is also a three-year catch-up campaign, which will offer the HPV vaccine to girls between the ages of 13 and 18.

The vaccine used in the programme (Cervarix) protects against the two types of HPV that are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer cases (HPV-16 and HPV-18). However, the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV, so is not guaranteed to prevent cervical cancer.
Following the introduction of the national HPV vaccination programme, regular cervical screening will continue to play an important role in detecting potentially cancerous cell changes in the cervix in women between the ages of 25 and 64.

 Read more Information from NHS Choices