Cervical Screening FAQs - Your cervical screening (smear) test results

Cell changes are caused by HPV. If there is no HPV detected on your test we do not need to look at the cells. If HPV is not found we do not need to examine your cells as your risk of developing cell changes is extremely low. We know that some individuals find this worrying, but a test showing no HPV is more reliable than finding normal cells.

No, if HPV is not found we do not need to check the cells as your risk of developing cell changes is extremely low.

We know that some individuals find this worrying, but a test showing no HPV is more reliable than finding normal cells.

After first test of cure – As you have had treatment in Colposcopy, we monitor you more closely to ensure that the treatment has been successful. This means more frequent cervical screening (smear) tests for a short period.

For people with a Retroviral Illness (RVI) – As you have a condition which may affect your immune system we monitor you more closely.

As you have been seen in Colposcopy, we monitor you more closely. This means more frequent cervical screening (smear) tests for a short period of time. If your next cervical screening (smear) test is HPV negative we will invite you for further screening in five years time.

Yes it is safe. In Wales, individuals who can have cervical screening are invited up to the age of 64. The screening programme stops then because individuals who have no HPV (human papillomavirus) at this time are very unlikely to go on to develop cervical cancer in later years.

Although cervical cancer does occur in older individuals, it is often in people who have had no screening, or who have not had enough screening tests in the past.

Even if all of your past tests were normal, it is very important that you report any unusual bleeding, discharge or other symptoms to your doctor.

This includes:

• Bleeding after sex, between periods or after the menopause
• New or different vaginal discharge (change in colour, amount or consistency)
• Lower tummy or back pains, or pain during sex

HPV is a common virus which most people clear naturally. However some individuals can take a little longer to clear the virus, and can sometimes develop cell changes.

As your test shows that you are HPV positive, it is important that we monitor you more often to make sure that the HPV clears.

HPV is a common virus which most people clear naturally within two years. As you do not have any cell changes, we do not need to send you to colposcopy now.

We will continue to monitor you and will refer you to colposcopy if you are still HPV positive after 24 months.

Four out of five of us will get HPV at some point in our lives, however most of us will clear the virus naturally within two years. If HPV does not clear, it can sometimes cause cervical cell changes which, if left untreated, may result in cervical cancer.  As we have identified that you still have HPV, we have referred you to colposcopy to check your cervix (neck of the womb)  for any changes.

No, our screeners have checked your cervical sample and no cell changes were identified. Because we have identified that you still have HPV, we have referred you to colposcopy to make sure that there are no changes to your cervix (neck of the womb).

As colposcopy clinic has checked your cervix and did not find any changes, we do not need to see you sooner than 36 months.

Evidence shows that from the point of HPV infection, it takes around 15 to 20 years for cell changes to develop into cervical cancer in people with a normal immune system.

The colposcopy clinic has checked your cervix and did not find any changes. Evidence shows that it takes around 15 to 20 years from HPV infection to the development of cervical cancer in people with a normal immune system, therefore developing HPV related cervical cancer in the next three years is very unlikely.

Your test has shown some minor changes (low grade) in your cells which require further investigation in a colposcopy clinic.

Finding out you have cell changes can be worrying. It is important to note that cell changes are not cervical cancer. Having cell changes also does not mean you will develop cervical cancer.  The majority of cell changes will get better by themselves or with treatment.

No, your test has shown some minor cell changes (low grade) but this does not mean you have cervical cancer.

Having cell changes also does not mean you will develop cervical cancer. The majority of cell changes will get better by themselves or with treatment.

Your test has shown some cell changes which are very unlikely to be cancer but do need investigating at a colposcopy clinic. Colposcopy is an examination to take a closer look at your cervix (neck of the womb). The colposcopist will look for any changes to the cervix.

You will be examined by a nurse or doctor called a colposcopist. They use a colposcope,  which looks like a pair of binoculars on a stand, to look for cell changes. Having a colposcopy is a lot like having a cervical screening (smear) test. If the colposcopist sees any cell changes they may take a biopsy (small pinch of skin). Sometimes you will be offered treatment at your first visit.

For more information please visit our Colposcopy and Treatment page.

Sometimes, during the cervical screening (smear) test, the nurse or doctor is unable to collect enough cells from the cervix. This means that the sample cannot be checked for cell changes, therefore an accurate result cannot be given. You should attend for a repeat cervical screening (smear) test in three months time.

We ask individuals to wait 12 weeks to allow the cells on their cervix to grow back. This will help make sure that we have enough cells to check at your next test.

We understand that with a HPV positive result that having to wait can be worrying. It is important that you wait 12 weeks to allow the cells on your cervix to grow back, this will help ensure that we can give you an accurate result.

If you are very concerned please speak with the doctor or nurse who took your sample or contact the regional cervical screening nurse, who can advise on your individual screening history.

As you are HPV positive and without checking your cells, we are unable to provide you with an accurate result. Cervical cancer is very rare, however we understand that delays to your cervical screening result can be worrying.

If you are concerned please speak with the doctor or nurse who took your sample or contact the regional cervical screening nurse, who can provide you with advice based on your individual screening history.
It is important that you attend for a repeat cervical screening (smear) test no sooner than 12 weeks after your original screening test, this is to allow the cells to grow back.

Yes, it is important that you attend for a repeat cervical screening (smear) test. This is because we have found high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) in your sample, which can cause cervical cell changes.  Cell changes which are left untreated may, over time, develop into cervical cancer.

There are a number of reasons why we may not have been able to test your sample. Often this is due to an error made by the person who took your sample or a problem with the vial that your sample was sent in.

Due to your previous cervical screening (smear) test results, we have referred you to colposcopy to check your cervix (neck of the womb) for any changes, therefore it is important that you attend.

Yes, as we need to repeat the test to be able to give you the result. We need to be able to check whether you have HPV, to prevent cervical cancer developing.

As we have been unable to provide you with a result from your last two cervical screening (smear) tests, we have referred you back to colposcopy as we need to ensure that there are no changes to your cervix (neck of the womb).