Cervical Screening (Smear Tests)
The cervical screening test (smear test) is designed to check your cervix (neck of the womb) for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
If HPV is found, we’ll then look at the same sample for cell changes. HPV causes 99% of all cervical cancers.
Cervical screening can stop cervical cancer before it starts
There are usually no symptoms with HPV or changes in cervical cells and sometimes no symptoms with early stage cervical cancer.
Even if you have no symptoms, the smear test can help to find changes so that they can be monitored or treated.
Finding these changes at an early rather than late stage means:
- they're easier to treat
- you're 9 times more likely to survive cervical cancer
NHS Inform - Cervical Screening
Cervical Screening information, risks, benefits and tests for patients based in Scotland
A Smear test could save your life
This leaflet is for women who would like information about having a cervical smear test for screening. This means having the test when you don't have any symptoms.
HPV Vaccination
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been offered to girls in Scotland from S1 since 2008.
From academic year 2019/20, the HPV vaccine will be offered to S1 boys as well.
This is because the evidence now shows that the HPV vaccine helps protect both boys and girls from HPV-related cancers.
Immunisation helps protect against the HPV virus, which can lead to cancers such as:
- head and neck cancers
- cervical cancer (in females)
- anogenital cancers (e.g. anal and penile (penis) cancer, cancer of the vagina and vulva).
What is Human papilloma virus (HPV) and How does it spread?
HPV is very common and can be caught through intimate sexual contact with another person who already has it. More than 70% of unvaccinated people will get it at some point in their life. People are often infected without knowing it as there are usually no symptoms.
Most people who become infected with HPV clear the virus from their body, but others may develop a range of cancers in later life caused by the HPV virus.
Some people may also develop genital warts, which can sometimes be difficult to treat.
Having the vaccine is important because we can't predict who will develop cancer or genital warts.
How HPV can cause cervical cancer?
Most HPV infections are harmless or cause genital warts, however some types can cause cervical cancer. Most HPV infections clear up by themselves, but in some people the infection can last a long time. HPV infects the cells of the surface of the cervix where it can stay for many years without you knowing.
The HPV virus can damage these cells leading to changes in their appearance. Over time, these changes can develop into cervical cancer. The purpose of cervical screening (testing) is to detect these changes, which, if picked up early enough, can be treated to prevent cancer happening. If they are left untreated, cancer can develop and may lead to serious illness and death.
Cancer Research UK
HPV Facts and information
NHS Choices - HPV Vaccination
Why, how and when is the vaccination given and what are the side effects
HPV Vaccine
For more information about the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. About 46,000 women get breast cancer in the UK each year. Most of them (8 out of 10) are over 50, but younger women, and in rare cases men, can also get breast cancer.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites over 2 million women for screening every year, and detects over 14,000 cancers. Dr Emma Pennery of Breast Cancer Care says: “Breast X-rays, called mammograms, can detect tumours at a very early stage, before you’d feel a lump. The earlier it’s treated, the higher the survival rate.”
Find out more about breast cancer screening
Macmillan Cancer Research
The causes and symptoms of breast cancer in women and explains how it is diagnosed and treated
NHS Inform
Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention & screening information
NHS Choices Conditions and Treatments
See the NHS Choices Conditions and Treatments browser for an in-depth description of many common health issues.
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice