Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

The following questions are most commonly asked by women attending for their free smear test:

What is CervicalCheck?

CervicalCheck - The National Cervical Screening Programme is a Government-funded service that provides free smear tests to women aged 25 to 60.

What is cervical screening?

Cervical screening tests women for changes in the cells of the cervix (neck of the womb) by a smear test.

What is a smear test and how is it taken?

A smear test (sometimes called a pap test) is used for cervical screening. It is a simple procedure where a doctor or nurse (smeartaker) takes a sample of cells from the cervix (neck of the womb) to look for early changes. A smear test can identify cell changes before they become cancer cells. If these cells are not found and treated, they could become cancerous over time.

A smear test is a very simple procedure that takes approximately five minutes. It may be slightly uncomfortable but should not be painful. It is expected that the entire appointment should generally take about 15 minutes in the doctor's surgery or health clinic.

You may lie on your side or on your back for your smear test. The doctor or nurse taking the test will gently insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina to hold it open. The cervix is the area where the top of the vagina leads to the uterus (womb). The doctor or nurse will use a small, specialised broom to gently brush off a sample of cells from the cervix. This sample is sent to the laboratory to be checked.

Who should have a smear test?

Women aged 25 to 60 should have a regular smear test and continue to have regular smear tests after the menopause. If you are aged over 60 years and have never had a smear test, please contact your local CervicalCheck registered smeartaker to discuss your cervical screening needs. A woman over 60 who has not had a free CervicalCheck programme smear test before is entitled to do so.

I am under 25 why am I not screened?

International best practice recommends that a population based cervical screening programme should target women aged from 25. Based on evidence to date, there is no additional public health benefit in starting screening below the age of 25. In women under the age of 25, minor changes in the cells of the cervix are common but invasive cancer is extremely rare. Population based screening in women under the age of 25 may lead to many women receiving unnecessary treatment for not normal cells that would never have developed into cancer.

I am over 60; can I have a smear test?

Yes, women over 60 can avail of a CervicalCheck free smear test. You do not need to register to have your smear test, simply make an appointment with a CervicalCheck registered smeartaker. Once you have had this smear test you are automatically part of the Programme. 

Why should I have this test?

Quite simply, having a regular smear test could save your life.

How can I be part of the Programme?

To avail of a free CervicalCheck smear test a woman will need a CervicalCheck invitation letter.  CervicalCheck has a register (list) of eligible women aged 25 to 60. Over the next three years, CervicalCheck will send eligible women nationwide an invitation for their free smear test by post.

Any woman who has not had a smear test in the last three years can opt-in and request an invitation letter from CervicalCheck (See Self-Registration section) or by completing and returning a Freepost form, or by calling CervicalCheck on Freephone 1800 45 45 55.

Women who have already availed of a CervicalCheck smear test since 1 September 2008 will automatically be re-called when their next smear test is due.

Certain women are eligible for a free smear test without a CervicalCheck invitation letter. These include women aged over the age of 60 who have never had a smear test and women of any age post colposcopy.

What is the CervicalCheck register?

CervicalCheck has developed a Cervical Screening Register (CSR). This is a list  of eligible women aged 25 to 60 from information received from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, from self-registration and colposcopy details.

The CervicalCheck register (list) is a secure electronic database that contains your name, address, date of birth and Personal Public Service Number (PPS No.). The register (list) also records your smear test results and any related procedures that you might have had.

Be assured that your information is secure. To maintain confidentiality, you will be given a unique identification number by the CervicalCheck register. To keep the register (list) up to date, please let us know if there is any change to your personal details such as name or address.

The Health (Provision of Information) Act 1997 allows CervicalCheck to get your name, address and date of birth so that we can invite you for regular free smear tests.

Why do I have to give my consent?

You are asked to sign a consent form prior to having a CervicalCheck smear test. This consent allows CervicalCheck to receive, hold and use your personal details and information about your smear test sample. This may include past smear test samples and colposcopy results.

CervicalCheck may share this information with the doctor or nurse who took your smear test (smeartaker), laboratory staff, colposcopy clinic, the National Cancer Registry and their servants or agents. Your smear test sample and details may be used for research, teaching, and review (audit) purposes. Your name will never be used.

What if I do not consent?

If you do not consent you can not have a CervicalCheck smear test.

Why does CervicalCheck ask for my Personal Public Service Number (PPS No.)?

A Personal Public Service Number (PPS No.) helps the Programme to correctly identify you and register your details.

How will CervicalCheck use my information?

We will use your details to:

  •  Invite you for a free CervicalCheck smear test when your test is due
  • Advise you if any further treatment is needed or when to have your next smear test
  • Help to review CervicalCheck and find out how well it is working by including details in statistics and reports
  • Possibly invite you to take part in research

 

Where can I have a smear test?

Currently, you can choose to have a free smear test from any smeartaker (doctor or nurse) registered with CervicalCheck.

For details of registered smeartakers, contact CervicalCheck on Freephone 1800 45 45 55 or visit www.cervicalcheck.ie. Please have your Personal Public Service Number (PPS No.) with you when you go to have your smear test.

Can I choose the smeartaker (doctor or practice nurse) who will take my smear test?

Yes. CervicalCheck has registered over 4,150 smeartakers in GP practices, Women's Health, Family Planning and Well Woman Clinics nationwide. In many registered practices and clinics, women have the choice of attending a doctor or practice nurse for their free smear test. In addition, many can offer a choice between a female or male smeartaker.

How often should I have a smear test?

After the first smear test, women aged 25 to 44 should have a smear test every three years. Women aged 45 to 60 should have a free smear test every five years once they have had two  'no abnormality detected' smear test results at three yearly intervals.

Once part of the Programme, CervicalCheck will advise you when your next free smear test is due. If you have any unusual or irregular vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge, do not wait for your next smear test – contact your doctor immediately.

I have received an invitation letter, what do I do now?

You need to make an appointment to have a free smear test with any smeartaker (GP or practice nurse) that is registered with CervicalCheck. GPs, Women’s Health, Family Planning and Well Woman Clinics all over Ireland are registered to take smear tests. Click on this link to find all registered smeartakers. http://www.cervicalcheck.ie/screening_locations/find_a_smeartaker.494.stsearch.html

When is the best time to have a smear test?

The best time to attend for your smear test is mid-cycle - that is 10 to 14 days after the first day of your period (if you are having periods). If you are not having periods or are menopausal, you can attend for your smear test at any time as long as you are not bleeding.

I am not sexually active; do I need a smear test?

CervicalCheck invites all women between the ages of 25 and 60 for cervical screening. But if you have never been sexually active with a man or woman, then the research evidence shows that your chance of developing cervical cancer is low. We do not say there is no risk, only a very low risk. In these circumstances, you might choose to decline the invitation for cervical screening on this occasion. If you are not currently sexually active but have had partners in the past, then we would recommend that you continue screening.

Should women who have sex with women have a smear test?

Yes, screening recommendations do not differ for women who sleep with women or lesbians regardless of their history with men.

I have had a hysterectomy; do I need a smear test? 

If you have had a hysterectomy, you should check with your doctor to see if you need to continue having regular smear tests. In general, the need to screen after a hysterectomy will depend on whether you have a cervix.

 I am pregnant and have received an invitation letter, what do I do?

If you are due your routine smear test and you are pregnant then the smear can be delayed until three months after your pregnancy. Please inform your smeartaker to complete a deferral form and send it to CervicalCheck.

My last result was not normal and now I am pregnant, what should I do?

A not normal result will not affect your pregnancy. If you have had a not normal result and a repeat smear test is due then you can have this smear test. If you have been referred to colposcopy you should attend your appointment. You can discuss this issue with your smeartaker if more information is needed.

Can not normal smear tests affect my pregnancy?

A not normal smear test has no affect on pregnancy. Occasionally women may experience slight bleeding after having a smear test in pregnancy but a smear test will not make you more likely to miscarry or lose your baby.

I have had a baby; do I need a smear test?

You do not require a smear test after having a baby unless you are due to have a smear test.

I have had a miscarriage and have received an invitation letter, what do I do?

You should wait three months before you attend for your smear test.

I have received an invitation letter but I am unable to attend for a smear test at the moment, do I need to re-register?

You do not need to re-register with the Programme. Attend for your smear test when it is appropriate for you, however, CervicalCheck will send you reminder letters. There is no expiry date on your invitation letter.

I have had a CervicalCheck smear test and I need to have it repeated, do I need an invitation letter?

No, you do not require an invitation letter if you have already had a smear test within the Programme. Your smeartaker will have your result advising them when your repeat smear test is due.

I have had treatment for not normal cells/ I have attended colposcopy and have been told I need yearly smear tests for a cetain amount of time. Do I need a letter?

No, you do not require an invitation letter if you fall into one of the categories above. Your smeartaker should have all this information and they should write it on your form when they take your smear test.

What is a colposcopy?

A colposcopy is a simple examination that is carried out in the same way as a smear test. A doctor or nurse will look at the cervix using a type of microscope called a colposcope. During the examination, a liquid or dye may be applied to the cervix to help identify any changes to the cells. A colposcopy can be done safely during pregnancy.

Before the colposcopy, the doctor or nurse should explain: 

  • The colposcopy examination 
  • The possible treatments for changes in the cells of the cervix 
  • Any risks linked to the treatment.

Where do I go for a colposcopy examination?

A colposcopy is carried out at a colposcopy clinic based in a hospital. This takes place on an out-patient basis. The colposcopy examination takes about 10 minutes. If you receive treatment at the same time, it may take a little longer.

Do I need to pay to attend a colposcopy clinic?

No, you do not need to pay for your colposcopy. This is all part of CervicalCheck – The National Cervical Screening Programme.

What is HPV and is my not normal smear test due to sex?

HPV or human papilloma virus is an extremely common virus transmitted via skin on skin contact. Approximately eight out of 10 adults have had the infection at some time throughout their lives and rarely produces any effects but about five per cent of women have  a not normal smear test. One to two per cent will develop pre-cancerous cells and a tiny minority of these progress to get cervical cancer despite the efforts of the screening programme.

Although HPV is not a sexually transmitted disease that requires a visit to a Sexual Health Clinic. Some not normal smear tests with mild changes may not be due to HPV but most not normal smear tests are due to the effects of HPV on the cervix. There is no blame on your current or any other partner or  yourself.

I got a not normal smear test result, is it my partner's fault?

No. Avoiding all intercourse is not a sensible way of hiding from cervical smear tests. A not normal smear test is not a form of sexually transmitted disease. Smear tests generate a lot of worry. Hopefully much of this can be avoided by understanding the answers to these questions. A feeling of guilt or recrimination does not need to be added to any worry.

Can my partner catch CIN/not nornal cells?

No. Barrier contraception or a condom is not required however if you have a not normal smear test requiring referral to a colposcopy clinic then you would be wise to continue with some form of contraception until this has been investigated.

I would like to know more about the HPV vaccine?

If you would like to know more about the HPV vaccine you should contact the Department of Health and Children who can provide you with information on the vaccine.

 

About cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is a cancer of the cells of the cervix (neck of the womb). Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer in Europe. Cervical cells change slowly and take many years to develop into cancer cells, making cervical cancer a preventable disease.


I have had a not normal smear test result. Have I got cancer?

It is very rare for a not normal smear test result to mean you have cancer. About one in 20 women will have a not normal smear test whereas about one in 2,000 will have cervical cancer. That means approximately one per cent of women with any grade of not normal smear test will have a cancer.

 

My pill and cervical cancer

The combined oral contraceptive pill is associated with a very slightly increased risk of cervical cancer. Family planning doctors strongly recommend that women requiring contraception should use a reliable method. The combined pill is a good method of contraception. If you have a not normal smear test and are taking the combined pill you should continue to take the pill. It has no effect on making any changes occur any faster.

Does cervical cancer run in the family?

No. Daughters and other female relatives of women with not normal smear tests, pre-cancerous cells (CIN) or cervical cancer do not have an increased risk of not normal smear tests, pre-cancerous cells or cervical cancer.

 

How can I reduce my risk of getting cervical cancer?

  • Have a regular smear test to pick up any early changes
  • Stop smoking
  • Visit your doctor if you have any concerns or symptoms such as irregular vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge

Results

The result of your test will be available from your smeartaker. CervicalCheck will send you a letter about your results within four weeks of your smear test. Most smear test results are found to be normal. Please try not to worry if you are called back for another test. The result could be due to an infection or minor cells changes that may or may not need treatment. For women who receive a not normal result, the doctor or practice nurse will explain the result and advise you of recommended follow-up.

If your result is not normal you may need to have another free smear test or a more detailed examination of the cervix using a type of microscope. This test is called a colposcopy. If there are cell changes on your cervix they can be easily treated to prevent them developing into cancer cells.

I need a copy of my results, where can I get them from?

You should contact your smeartaker if you need a copy of your results.


CervicalCheck Information Leaflets

To view CervicalCheck information leaflets, please click here.

 

 

 


Frequently asked questions