What is the age when you get a Cervical Screening in the UK?
What is the age when you get a Cervical Screening in the UK?
A Cervical Screening (also known as a Smear Test) is an important test to assess the health of the cervix to help prevent cervical cancer. It’s offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. It is one of the most crucial preventative tests for protecting and ensuring women’s health. A cervical screening is not a test for cancer but rather a test to help prevent cancer.
The cervix is the opening of the womb from a vagina. During a cervical screening, a small sample of cells is taken from the cervix to be tested for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The cells that they are looking for are classed as “high-risk” types of HPV which can change the surrounding cells of the cervix.
NHS Cervical Screenings are offered routinely to all women and people with a cervix by letter in the post. Depending on your age, you will receive these letters inviting you to make an appointment at different times and different frequencies. You can and should book an appointment as soon as a letter is received.
Below is a table showing the frequency of when invitations to book appointments are sent out. They correspond with how high the risk is for cervical cancer.
| Age | When they are invited |
| Under 25 | Up to 6 months before turning 25 |
| 25-49 | Every 3 years |
| 50-64 | Every 5 years |
| 65 and older | Only if a recent test was abnormal |
If you or someone you know has missed a cervical screening, there is no need to wait for a new letter to book an appointment. Getting in touch with the NHS and booking an appointment can save lives. (All information sourced from the NHS)
We at HapiLegs are committed to helping more women attend their cervical screening appointments. If you are interested in seeing our privacy-protecting HapiLegs, click here