Having a cervical screening test can be an anxious experience for a person.
When a person comes to you for a cervical screening test, it is important that you explain the:
Explain that a cervical screening test is not a test for cancer. It's a test to help prevent cancer from developing.
Refer them to our online guide to cervical screening.
Who is eligible for free cervical screening tests
- 25 to 29 years old – every 3 years
- 30 to 65 years old – every 5 years
- People aged 25 to 29 are screened more often because they are more likely to have HPV.
- For people aged 30 to 65 who do not have a HPV infection, it is safe to wait 5 years between tests. In most cases, it takes 10 to 15 years for a HPV infection to change cells in the cervix and develop into cervical cancer.
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The age range for screening increased from age 60 to age 65 on 30 March 2020.
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This means that not all women between the age of 60 and 65 are eligible for cervical screening.
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If a participant has never had a cervical screening test they can ask any registered sampletaker for free CervicalCheck test up to age 66
Eligibility framework for cervical screening (PDF, 1 page, 150KB)
When screening may not be recommended
In some cases, a person does not need to have a cervical screening test or they should be advised to delay it.
This could be because they are pregnant, breastfeeding, had a hysterectomy or had pelvic radiotherapy.
You should consult the guidance notes for health professionals, in particular:
Information on when cervical screening is not recommended is also available here.
Screening no longer needed
If a person no longer needs cervical screening, complete and return the Cervical Screening Not Advised form (PDF, 1 page, 115KB)
Before a screening test
A consent form must be completed at every cervical screening. The consent form you will need to sign is called a Cervical Screening Form. Please follow this link for more information.
It includes an information sheet so that the person can provide informed consent. We need a person's consent so that each service provider in cervical screening can access a person's health information.
Take their PPS number
Ask the person for their Personal Public Service (PPS) number. This helps ensure that:
- a screening test result is matched with the right person
- we issue a letter to the right person about the next steps
The Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme (PCRS) also needs a PPS number. This is so they can process payment and reimbursement.
CSP (Cervical Screening Programme) ID
Everyone on our register is given a CSP ID. It helps us to identify anyone who has a screening test. We use the number for every letter we send in relation to a person.
The CSP ID number will also be on a person's results letter if you put it on the Cervical Screening Form. You should do this when you take every screening test.
You can check a person's CSP ID on the 'Check a person's next screening test date' facility if you know their:
- personal public service (PPS) number
- date-of-birth
If the person has symptoms
Do not take a cervical screening test if there is a suspicion of cervical cancer. This could delay the person's referral.
You should consult the following guidance on taking screening tests when a woman complains of abnormal vaginal bleeding or other symptoms which could suggest cervical cancer to help you decide the correct pathway to refer them to.
Symptoms to be aware of include:
- pain in the pelvis
- bleeding between periods
- vaginal spotting or unusual discharge
- pain during sex
- bleeding after sex
Refer the person urgently to colposcopy if a suspicious lesion is found during a cervical examination. This is so they can have further tests and possible treatment.
Refer the person to a gynaecologist if the cause of the symptoms is thought to be:
- benign pathology
- anomalies, such as cyst, polyp or trauma
- Guidance note 1 — Indeterminate/Unsatisfactory / Inadequate results (PDF, 1 page, 35KB)
- Guidance note 3 — Expired vials & screening test repeated before the minimum interval (PDF, 1 page, 30KB)
- Guidance note 4 — Cervical screening in relation to pregnancy/breastfeeding/miscarriage (PDF, 1 page, 60KB)
- Guidance note 8 — Completion of CervicalCheck cervical screening form (PDF, 1 page, 35KB)
- Guidance note 15 — Cervical Screening for immunosuppressed women (PDF, 1 page, 35KB)
- Guidance note on Cervical Screening Not Advised
- Guidance note on Cervical Screening Post-Hysterectomy
- Guidance Note Management of abnormal bleeding or other symptoms of cancer