Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

How is it performed? of Cervical screening test

You will receive a letter from your local Primary Care Trust or GP asking you to make an appointment for a cervical screening test. You can have the test carried out at your GP surgery or a family planning clinic. Most women choose to have their test taken by their GP or practice nurse. You can ask to have your test taken by a female doctor or nurse if you prefer.

The screening test is best done in the middle of the menstrual cycle (between periods), so you need to book your appointment accordingly.

The cervical screening test doesn’t take very long – usually around five minutes, but sometimes slightly longer. It may be a bit uncomfortable or embarrassing, but for most women it isn’t painful. If you do find the test painful, tell the doctor or nurse taking it because they may be able to reduce your discomfort. Although it can be difficult, you should try to relax as much as possible, as being tense makes the test harder to carry out. Try taking slow, deep breaths.

You will be asked to undress from the waist down and lie on a couch. The doctor or nurse will gently put an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. This holds the walls of the vagina open so that the cervix can be seen. A small spatula or brush-like instrument is then used to gently wipe some cells off the surface of the cervix.

The cells from the spatula or brush are put onto a glass slide, or into a vial, and sent to a laboratory. The laboratory staff will look at the cells under a microscope to see if any abnormal cells are present. The results will be sent to you and to your GP. If any abnormal cell changes are found, your GP will discuss with you whether treatment may be needed.

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

  ---