What is Cervical Screening ❓

 Routine screening of women with a cervix (lower part of womb) 👩

 To reduce the rate/impact of cervical cancer

Who Needs Cervical Screening ❓

 Women aged 24^1/2 to 50 (every 3 years) and 51 to 64 (every 5 years) 🎂

 Some other circumstances, e.g. before an organ transplant 🏥

What is Involved in a Cervical Screening ❓

 Smear test:

 1) Small sample is taken from the cervix 🧫

 2) Sample is tested for any abnormal cells and for the human papillomavirus (HPV) 🦠

 Colposcopy:

 1) Examination of the vagina & cervix tissues 👩‍⚕️

 2) Performed after a smear test to investigate abnormal cells 

 3) Aim is to “grade” the risk of abnormal cells becoming cancerous 📝

What do the Results Mean ❓

 ‘Normal’: further investigation is not needed ✅

 ‘Positive’ HPV: colposcopy is needed to grade the abnormalities from minor (no treatment required) to high (treatments to remove/destroy the cells required) risk

 ‘Positive’ HPV with no abnormal cells: more frequent screening required

 Further screening is required a few months after treatment 🔍