Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect women from cervical cancer. Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it is a test to help prevent cancer. Cervical screening checks a sample of cells from your cervix for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). These types of HPV can cause abnormal changes to the cells in your cervix and are called “high risk” types of HPV. If these types of HPV are found during screening (a HPV positive result), the sample of cells is then checked for abnormal changes. If abnormal cells are not treated, they may turn into cervical cancer.
HPV is the name for a very common group of viruses. Most people will get some type of HPV during their lives. It is very common and nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. Some types of HPV (called “high risk” types) can cause cervical cancer. In most cases your body will get rid of HPV without it causing any problems, but sometimes HPV can stay in your body for a long time. If high risk types of HPV stay in your body, they can cause changes to the cells in your cervix. These changes may become cervical cancer if not treated.
Cervical screening is a choice. It is your choice if you want to go for cervical screening but it is one of the best ways to protect you from cervical cancer. You may have some light bleeding or spotting after cervical screening but the process will take no more than five minutes.
Please do not delay your cervical screening.
Please fill out an online eConsult form, which can be found above, and you will be booked in with one of our friendly Nurses. Alternatively, please call the surgery on 0115 8832330 and an appointment will be made for you.