Cervical screening tests (smear tests) are available to women and people with a cervix aged 25-64 years in the UK. The tests are done to prevent cervical cancer by finding abnormalities that can, with relatively simple treatments, be prevented from progressing to cervical cancer. Cervical screening tests are not used to diagnose cancer, the test is to check the health of your cervix and to help prevent cancer.
When you will be invited
All women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 will be invited for a regular cervical screening test. You’ll receive a letter in the post inviting you to make an appointment with your GP practice. If you’re a trans man, or non-binary and assigned female at birth, and you’re registered with your GP as female, you will receive automatic invitations via the screening programme.
If you’re a registered with your GP as male, and still have a cervix, you will NOT receive automatic invitations and will need to contact your GP practice directly for an appointment.
If you’re a trans woman or non-binary person assigned male at birth, you do not need cervical screening as you do not have a cervix.
When you’ll be invited for cervical screening in England
| 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 1 of your last 3 tests was abnormal |
You can book an appointment as soon as you get a letter.
If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter to book an appointment.
How to stop being invited for cervical screening
Contact your GP to ask to be taken off their cervical screening list if:
- you no longer have a cervix, but still receive invitations to screening
- you still have a cervix, but you do not want to be invited for screening
Click here for more information on Cervical Screening and a video on how the screening is done