Tales from our Women's Health Hub
Women’s Health GP Specialist Dr Victoria Fielding shares her expertise in the latest blog from our Tales from our Women’s Health Hub.
Understanding Cervical Screening
So, what is a smear test? Essentially, it's a test to take a sample of cells from your cervix i.e. neck to your womb. Our tests here at The McIndoe Centre look for a common virus, linked with cervical cancers, called human papilloma virus (or HPV for short), along with having a look at the cervical cells under the microscope for any changes. The test can help prevent cervical cancer as it looks to identify early changes which can be treated BEFORE going onto develop into cervical cancer.
HPV is linked to 99% of all cervical cancers so it is a hugely important virus. It is a sexually contracted virus that around 80% of us will develop at one point in our lives if sexually active. You only need to have one sexual partner to catch it! In most cases it causes no symptoms, and your body clears the virus within two years. For those who it doesn’t however, especially if you have contracted one of the high-risk types of HPV, over time it can start to have an effect on the cells of your cervix and lead to cervical cancer.
Why Cervical Screening Matters
Early prevention with all cancers is so important but especially in cervical cancers! If early changes (not cancer but the precursor to) within the cells on your cervix have been identified at your smear, these cells can be removed. You would be seen by a specialist during an examination (called a colposcopy).
General screening within the NHS starts at age 25 up until age 64 and has recently changed as of July 2025, to every 5 years for every woman. This is arranged via your general practitioner, and you should receive an invitation in the post when you are eligible.
Breaking the Stigma Around Smear Tests
As a woman myself I understand the sense of embarrassment and fear that comes with having a smear test performed. Having an understanding of exactly what happens sometimes helps so please have a look at the video below. It really does take generally only a few minutes. Feeling comfortable in your surroundings and knowing that there is no time pressure honestly makes such a difference as well.
Your Cervical Screening Experience at The McIndoe Centre
Any abnormal results from the cervical screening will be explained to you via telephone e.g HPV positive samples or changes in the cervical cells. Common follow up advice would be a repeat cervical smear in a year or a referral to colposcopy which we are able to arrange for you.
A normal result is passed through to you in writing.
The Role of Regular Screening and Vaccination
Here at the Women’s Overall Wellbeing Team at The McIndoe Centre, we strongly believe in the importance of preventative medicine. Screening for disease is so important within this and smear tests in particular can help prevent cancer ever forming.
Another important preventative measure is vaccination. The HPV vaccine now offered as part of NHS vaccination screening programme to both girls and boys aged 12-13 is projected to reduce cervical cancers, once widely used, by up to 90%! It also protects against other diseases linked to HPV including anogenital warts, oropharyngeal cancers, rectal cancers and vulval cancers.
Why Choose The McIndoe Centre for Cervical Screening
The McIndoe Centre in East Grinstead is a long established private CQC registered hospital where we strive in all things to offer gold standard care. You can be confident that you will be treated with professionalism and respect through any procedure.
The benefits of having a cervical screen privately is that you don’t need to be invited for screening or even be within the right age bracket as we offer smears for all women over the age of 18.
Our cervical screening is a little different to the NHS’ in that we test for both HPV and look at all the samples taken under the microscope for any cell changes. The NHS cervical smear will only screen the sample under a microscope if HPV is found. Our aim with this is to provide a further safety check and ensure no abnormal cells are missed.
Please contact us if you have any questions we would be happy to talk through any further concerns you have.
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