The NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England offers free tests to all women aged between 25 and 64 who are registered with their GP.
This includes women who have had the HPV vaccination, as the vaccine does not guarantee complete protection against cervical cancer.
Women should normally be invited for cervical screening at the following times:
- by 25, you will receive your first invitation for screening
- 25 to 49, you are invited for screening every 3 years
- 50 to 64, you are invited for screening every 5 years
- 65 or over, you are only screened if you have not been screened since you were 50 or if you have had recent abnormal test results
If you have not had a cervical screening test within the appropriate time, you may be offered one when you next visit your GP.
Please contact the practice to book a screening appointment if you are overdue one.