Smear Test
(Cervical Screening)
Women are invited for a smear test by letter every 3 years from age 25-49 and every 5 years from age 50-64
The cervix is inside a woman's body at the top of the vagina. You can not see it.
A smear test looks for a virus (like the cold virus) in the cervix.
You can catch this virus from having sex.
In some women the virus can cause cancer of the cervix
The cervix is made up of small parts called cells.
A cancer happens when the cells grow the wrong way.
It can make you very poorly and people can die from cancer.
If your smear test is abnormal you can be treated to stop you getting cancer.
This could save your life!
To find out more about having a smear test please click on the leaflet below:
This is a video about smear tests made for people with learning disability:
Here are some photos of the nurse's room at Clifton Medical Practice. It is set up for a patient to have a smear test.
This is a speculum - it opens the vagina so the nurse can see the cervix
This brush is used to take the sample from the cervix
Do you want to talk more about having a smear test? You can speak to your GP or practice nurse.
You can also speak to the learning disability nurses on 0115 8760138.
To help you have your smear you can ask for:
​
-
a visit before the test to meet the nurse and see the equipment
-
a longer appointment
​
-
an appointment at a quiet time of day
​
-
someone you trust to be there with you
​
-
the test to be done at a hospital instead of at the GP practice
If you forget to have your smear test you can call and book an appointment at any point.
If you do not want a smear test please tell your nurse or GP.
They can fill out a form to stop you getting letters about the test.
You can change your mind at any time.
If your smear test shows that you have the virus they will check to see if the cells from your cervix have grown the wrong way.
You may need a special test at the hospital called a colposcopy.
​
​
Here is a video about colposcopy:
Tell your GP if you have:
​
​
-
bleeding after sex
-
bleeding between your periods
​
-
bleeding after your periods have stopped for 1 year or more when you are older
-
if the discharge from your vagina changes
-
sex hurts
-
or you have pain in your tummy
as these could be due to a problem with your cervix.
Image credits:
<a href='https://www.freepik.com/vectors/reproductive-system'>Reproductive system vector created by brgfx - www.freepik.com</a>
Germs, Worms, Etc. | College of Biological Sciences (umn.edu)
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/sex" title="sex icons">Sex icons created by Freepik - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/cervical-cancer" title="cervical cancer icons">Cervical cancer icons created by Chattapat.k - Flaticon</a>
Cells & Histology | College of Biological Sciences (umn.edu)
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/cancer" title="cancer icons">Cancer icons created by Freepik - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/illness" title="illness icons">Illness icons created by Tru3 Art - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/like" title="like icons">Like icons created by Pixel perfect - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/leaflet" title="leaflet icons">Leaflet icons created by Freepik - Flaticon</a>
Photos of Clifton Medical Practice taken by Dr Katherine Ward
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/consulting" title="consulting icons">Consulting icons created by Good Ware - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/phone" title="phone icons">Phone icons created by Gregor Cresnar - Flaticon</a
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/nurse" title="nurse icons">Nurse icons created by mavadee - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/clock" title="clock icons">Clock icons created by Those Icons - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/trust" title="trust icons">Trust icons created by Freepik - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/hospital" title="hospital icons">Hospital icons created by joalfa - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/confusion" title="confusion icons">Confusion icons created by Freepik - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/appointment" title="appointment icons">Appointment icons created by Freepik - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/finger" title="finger icons">Finger icons created by Gregor Cresnar - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/form" title="form icons">Form icons created by Freepik - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/agree" title="agree icons">Agree icons created by agus raharjo - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/microscope" title="microscope icons">Microscope icons created by phatplus - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/bleeding" title="bleeding icons">Bleeding icons created by Smashicons - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/underwear" title="underwear icons">Underwear icons created by iconixar - Flaticon</a>
<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/pain" title="pain icons">Pain icons created by Freepik - Flaticon</a>