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When should it be done? of Cervical screening test
The screening programme in England offers free tests to women between the ages of 25 and 64 every three to five years. You should receive your first invitation for routine screening at 25.
Women who are registered with a GP are invited for screening tests based on a call and recall system. Unless any follow up tests are required, you will be recalled for screening after three or five years. It is therefore important that you ensure your GP has your correct name and address details. You should inform them if these change.
If you have not had a cervical screening test within the appropriate time (either three or five years), you may be offered one when you visit your GP or family planning clinic for something else.
Research shows that screening is more effective if the frequency is adjusted according to age. The recommended length of time between cervical screening tests is as follows:
- Age 25: first invitation
- Age 25 – 49: every three years
- Age 50 – 64: every five years
- Age 65+: screening only for women who have not been screened since age 50 or have had recent abnormal tests.
If you have had treatment for abnormal cervical cells, you will be asked to attend screening annually (once a year) for some years afterwards (the length of this depends on how serious the cell change is).
