When am I due to go for my first cervical screening?
Cervical screening (previously known as a smear test) begins at the age of 25 in the UK. Around the time of your 25th birthday you may receive a letter inviting you to book your first screening appointment. If you are registered as male on your records, you will not get a letter asking you to book your appointment, but at the age of 25 you can contact your GP, or specialist clinic, and book your screening test.
You will be eligible for your next screening test every three to five years until the age of 50 (depending where you live in the UK), and then every five years until the age of 64, if your screening tests are normal.
If you are over 65 and were HPV positive at your last screening or have cervical cell changes, you would continue to be screening until you have completed the NHS monitoring pathway.
If you are over 65 and have never been screened, you are entitled to a test if you ask your GP.
What is a cervical screening test and how does it work?
The cervical screening programme is there to help prevent cervical cancer from developing. This is because it detects high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV), the virus which causes over 99% of cervical cancers. If HPV is present it looks for any cell changes on the cervix which if left untreated, could potentially develop into cervical cancer in the future.
The doctor or nurse will take a sample of cells from your cervix. They will do this by inserting a speculum (small plastic instrument) into the vagina, which holds the vaginal walls apart and allows the nurse or doctor to clearly see your cervix. They will then sweep the cervix with a soft plastic brush to collect the cells. Your sample will be sent to a laboratory for testing, where they will look first of all for high-risk HPV (human papillomavirus), a virus that causes almost all cervical cell changes. If high-risk HPV is present, your cells will then be tested for any cell changes. It is important to remember that many people who have high-risk HPV will not have any cervical cell changes. If you do have any cell changes, don’t worry, these are not cancer. Your cell changes will be catergorised as low, medium or high grade, and you will be either monitored regularly or they will be treated
Will the cervical screening test hurt?
Some people with a cervix may experience discomfort or pain when having cervical screening, there are several reasons for this which may be physical or psychological. It is important to chat to your doctor or nurse about this and there are things you can do to make the test less uncomfortable. These include asking your doctor or nurse to use the smallest speculum. You can contact our Ask Eve information service for more information.
I’m a trans-man. Do I need to go for a cervical screening test?
Anyone with a cervix is at risk of developing cervical cancer. If you are a trans man who has a cervix, we understand that attending a cervical screening appointment may be emotionally and physically difficult for you. It can be helpful to have a separate appointment your nurse or doctor beforehand, and talk through the process with them. We have created a list of tips for helping with your screening, HERE. If you have any worries or concerns about going for your screening, do speak to your nurse, doctor or our Ask Eve information service.
I am a non-binary, do I need to go for a cervical screening test?
If you have a cervix, you will still be at risk of cervical cancer and we encourage you to attend your cervical screening appointment. Understandably, this may be something which is difficult to navigate, but your nurse and doctor are there to help you make the experience as positive as possible. Speak to them beforehand, go through what the appointment will involve and do check our list of tips on cervical screening, HERE. If you have any worries or concerns about going for your screening, do speak to your nurse, doctor or our Ask Eve information service.
I am intersex, do I need to go for a cervical screening test?
Not everyone who is intersex will need a cervical screening test. If you are intersex, it will depend on your combination of internal reproductive organs, i.e. whether or not you have a cervix, as to whether or not you need the screening test.
Your nurse or doctor will want to make you feel comfortable and reassured during this procedure, and good communication between the two of you is really important. Take your time, ask the questions you need answers to in order to feel as in control and relaxed as possible. Our tips on screening for trans men, non-binary and intersex people with a cervix can be found HERE, and our Ask Eve information service team are here to help you.
I have had the HPV vaccine, do I need my screening test?
Yes. The HPV vaccine available on the NHS works against nine strains of HPV: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Types 16 and 18 cause around 70% of all cervical cancers. There are five other strains of high-risk HPV (HPV that can cause cervical cell changes) that are not currently included in the vaccination. Together, the vaccination (typically given to children age 12-13) and screening programme in the UK prevent thousands of cases of cervical cancer a year. We encourage people to have both the vaccine and regular screening tests.
I haven’t had penetrative sex. Do I need to go for my screening test?
HPV can be transmitted through any skin-to-skin sexual contact, this includes mutual masturbation, oral, vaginal or anal sex and the sharing of sex toys. So it is important to attend your cervical screening test when invited, even if you have not had penetrative sex.