Skip to content

We are continuing to experience a problem with our phone lines, there is no dial tone or hold music when you are waiting in the phone queue. Please stay on the line, your call will be answered.

Hide this page

Our Services

Have your say on what our new condom wallets should look like! - Click here for our online survey.

We're running a a cervical screening walk-in and wait clinic from 10:00am - 3:00pm on Saturday 27th April in Friarage Hospital. - Click here for more information.

Cervical Screening

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.

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.

Your results

Results are expected 4 -6 weeks after your test.


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.