Cervical Screening (The Smear Test)
Last Updated: Monday, 05 January 2026Cervical cancer screening is an important step in taking care of your health. Regular cervical screening can help prevent cancer and, if caught early, can save your life. Cervical cancer screening saves 5000 lives a year.
Why is cervical cancer screening important?
Cervical cancer is a cancer of the cervix (the entrance to the womb), and it often develops slowly over time. The cervical screening test looks for abnormal cells that, if left untreated, could develop into cancer. These cells can be detected long before any symptoms occur, which means that if abnormal cells are found, they can be treated early, before cancer develops.
The good news is that cervical cancer is largely preventable.
· Early detection saves lives: The earlier abnormal cells are found, the easier it is to treat them, preventing cancer before it starts.
· Simple and quick: The test itself takes only a few minutes and can be done at your convenience in a private and comfortable setting.
· You're not alone: Many women feel nervous about screening, but it's a routine part of looking after your health.
Further Resources
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Click here for a short video called ‘Let’s talk about cervical screening’ .