Cervical screening

[ChickenNuggets05]

Hi there. Recently I've been trying to book my first cervical screening appointment. I'm 27 years old and didn't get the letter until I was 25 and a half instead of 24 and a half.

Anyway, the GP receptionist told me that they only do smears tests twice a month so literally only two days out of the entire month. The dates given do not suit me at all. I find it bizarre because other people will be like me in the sense of the dates not suiting them cycle wise. I'm not sure if they're even done in clinics anymore but the only other option is going private which would cost £200!! Has anyone else been told this before?

Thank you.

It shouldn’t be the only option, Google sexual health clinics in your area, many offer appointments there now also.

Thank you for replying. I always thought sexual health clinics provided cervical screenings, but I had a Google and cervical screenings unfortunately weren't mentioned on the websites.

a smear is only a HPV test now anyway , you can get them from Superdrug

Google cervical smear sexual health then add your area. I have just put several random areas in and have been able to access a link to book, I know not all SH clinics offer it, and you may have to travel a bit, but there will be somewhere near you that you can book.

What do you mean?

They don't look at the sample, just test it for HPV.

You can get self-administered HPV tests buying online from Superdrug which avoids the smear but keeps the screening up-to-date.

I'm still a bit surprised how many people don't get informed by their doc about this

but if appointments are getting fewer, that's a good sign, maybe, they might phase it out and it's so unnecessary. Some surgeries are in a pilot doing the free self test kit so it will hopefully become a norm for those wishing to test.

Samples are tested for HPV first but if you’re HPV positive the sample then goes to cytology & cells are examined very closely for any changes. Based on the cytology result you get there will be a plan - it might just be early repeat of sample for example after 12 months or potentially a direct referral to colposcopy. This all happens as part of the national screening service & sample takers are appropriately trained & assessed regularly. I’m unsure how it works with self test kits for HPV if the result is positive, as this wouldn’t be part of national screening service. Interested to know though.

I suppose if your home kit is positive then you would just have to move hell and high water to get an appointment or go private .