Cervical screening

Cervical screening is offered to women from the ages of 25 to 64. It looks for abnormal cells in the cervix which might become cancer if left untreated.

The test involves using a soft brush to take a sample of cells from the surface of your cervix.

Cervical screening used to be called a ‘smear test’.

Cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer. Cervical screening in the UK saves thousands of lives from cervical cancer every year.

Our guide to cervical screening tells you everything you need to know, including what screening is and when to get screened.