Cervical screening (a smear test) is a test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. It's available to people with a cervix aged 25 to 64.
We are running walk-in and wait cervical screening clinics throughout the year in North and North Yorkshire. Please click here for our list of clinic times and locations.
Cervical screening at YSH
If you’re due your cervical screening, or have received your cervical screening letter reminder, call us on 01904721111 to book an appointment. We offer cervical screening appointments across York and North Yorkshire.
If you have the below, please bring them to your appointment: - Your NHS Number. This can be found on your NHS app, or on your national screening programme letter. - Your invite letter from the national screening programme. - Details of the GP you are registered with (if you are not registered with a GP, we can still do your screening).
When will I be invited?
All people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 should go for regular cervical screening. You'll get a letter in the post inviting you to make an appointment.
Age
When You're Invited
Under 25
Up to 6 months before you turn 25
25 to 49
Every 3 years
50 to 64
Every 5 years
65 or older
Only if a recent test was abnormal
Currently, only people who are registered as female with their GP surgery or clinic are automatically invited for cervical screening. If you are registered as male, aged between 25 and 64, and have a cervix, you can ask your GP surgery to send you invites directly.
You will not be invited for cervical screening until you're 25 because cervical cancer is very rare in people under 25 and it might lead to having treatment you do not need as abnormal cell changes often go back to normal in younger women. You will not be invited for cervical screening if you're 65 or older because it's very unlikely that you'll get cervical cancer. You'll only be invited again if a recent test was abnormal. However, if you're 65 or older and have never been for cervical screening, or have not had cervical screening since the age of 50, you can ask your GP for a test.
When can’t you have a cervical screening?
We won’t be able to complete your screening if you: - Are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 weeks (Vaginally or c-section). - Have had a miscarriage or abortion in the last 12 weeks. - Currently have any menstrual bleeding/abnormal discharge. - Have used any vaginal lubricants or creams in the last 2 days- this can affect your results. - Have used any vaginal medications e.g. thrush pessary in the last 7 days- this can affect your results. - Have had any procedure to the cervix in the last 12 weeks e.g. coil fit. - If you were asked to have a repeat test and it’s less than 12 weeks since your last inadequate or rejected sample. - If you've had a total hysterectomy to remove all your womb and cervix. - Haven’t had a letter requesting you attend for screening.
What to expect at your cervical screening appointment
1. The clinician will ask you to lie back on a bed, usually with your legs bent, feet together and knees apart. Sometimes you may need to change position during the test. 2. They'll gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina. A small amount of lubricant may be used. 3. The nurse will open the speculum so they can see your cervix. 4. Using a soft brush, they'll take a small sample of cells from your cervix. 5. The nurse will close and remove the speculum.
The cervical screening test itself should take less than 5 minutes. The whole appointment should take about 10 minutes.
During your appointment, there will be plenty of opportunity for you to ask questions. You'll be in complete control of the screening.
If have anything you would like to share with your nurse but might find this hard to talk about, such as any experiences or health conditions that may impact your experience, you can download our additional support form or pick one up from the waiting area. We want to ensure you have a positive experience with us, and will do all we can to ensure this is the case.
Your cervical screening results letter will explain if human papillomavirus (HPV) was found in your sample, what your result means, and what happens next.
HPV is not found in your sample.
This means your risk of getting cervical cancer is very low. You do not need any further tests to check for abnormal cell changes in your cervix, even if you've had these in the past. You'll be invited for screening again in 3 or 5 years.
HPV found (HPV positive), but no abnormal cell changes.
You'll be invited for screening in 1 year and again 1 year later if you still have HPV. If you still have HPV after 2 years, you'll be asked to have a colposcopy.
HPV found (HPV positive) and abnormal cell changes.
You'll be asked to have a colposcopy.
Inadequate result.
The results were unclear. You’ll be asked to come back in 3 months to have the test again.
Today is widely known as Blue Monday - it's January, it's cold, and it's still not payday! It's a good day to acknowledge our mental wellbeing and the impact things can have on it, including things relating to our sexual health.
Did you know YSH offers a free sexual health counselling service? You'll be offered up to 6 hour long sessions with our highly experienced BACP registered counsellors. This can be done face to face or virtually - whichever suits you best. It's easy to access - simply self refer on our website.
Our counsellors work through issues including feelings around an STI diagnosis, living with or affected by HIV, feelings around unplanned pregnancy, difficulties around sexuality, and barriers to positive sexual health e.g. self confidence and the impact of substances.
For more information and to self refer, please visit our website www.yorsexualhealth.org.uk/our-services/counselling/
Transgender men and non-binary people assigned female at birth, who have not had surgery to remove the cervix, are recommended to have cervical screening. You may not be automatically invited if your gender is male at your GP, or if you’ve opted out in the past, so could yours be due? Cervical screening is every 3 years from ages 25-49, and every 5 years from aged 50-64.
Booking and attending your cervical screening as a trans man or non-binary individual might be challenging for you, and we're here to support you in any way possible. Here are some top tips:
- If you are contacting your GP or sexual health clinic to book your appointment and you are registered as male, you may feel nervous about explaining the situation. Remember that whoever you are speaking to is there to help you, and will be glad that you contacted them. If you're particularly anxious, asking to speak to a member of the practice that you know and trust can help, or you could send your request through by email or online form if available.
- Appointments always leave additional time for you to ask any questions you may have, but you can always ask for a longer appointment if you feel you might need some extra time.
- You might feel more comfortable having your screening done by a particular member of staff, or by a male or female nurse. You can request this when booking.
- You might find it helpful to talk through the procedure beforehand (you can book an appointment to do this) or ask the nurse to use non-gendered language e.g. when describing body parts.
YSH provides a friendly and inclusive environment for all our service users, and we warmly welcome you to attend any of our walk in or bookable clinics. If you would like to discuss your screening beforehand, please contact our central bookings team on 01904 721111 who will be happy to arrange an appointment for you with one of our nurses.
