Results of cervical screening

The results of your screening test will be sent to you in the post, with a copy sent to your GP.

Before you leave your screening, ask when your results are expected and how you'll receive them. In some cases, you may need to contact your GP or clinic to get your results.

The Cervical Screening Programme aims to notify people of their results within 14 days.

The types of screening result you may get depends on how your screening sample was tested. The first test carried out on the cell sample is either:

• to look for abnormal cells (cytology)
• to test for human papilloma virus (HPV) this is called HPV primary screening

If HPV primary screening is carried out first in your area, you'll receive a leaflet with your screening invitation containingmore information.

Test results for abnormal cells

If the first test carried out on your sample is to look for abnormal cells (cytology), then you should receive one of the following results.

Normal

A normal test result means no abnormal cell changes have been found. No action is needed and you don't need another cervical screening test until it's routinely due.

Inadequate

You may be told you need to have a repeat test because the first one couldn't be read properly. This may be because:

• not enough cells were collected
• the cellscouldn't be seen clearly enough
• an infection was present

You'll be asked to go back so another sample of cells can be taken, usually after about three months.

Abnormal

If you have abnormal results, you may be told you have:

• borderline or low-grade changes (called dyskaryosis)
• moderate or severe (high-grade) dyskaryosis

If your result is low-grade, it means that although there are some abnormal cell changes, they're very close to being normal and may disappear without treatment.

In this case, your sample will be tested for HPV. If HPV isnt found, you're at very low risk of developing cervical cancer before your next screening test. You'll be invited back for routine screening in three to five years (depending on your age). If HPV is found, you'll be offered an examination called colposcopy, which looks at the cervix more closely.

If your result is high-grade dyskaryosis, your sample won't be tested for HPV, but you'll be offered colposcopy (an examination of the cervix) to check the changes in your cervical cells.

All these results show you have abnormal cell changes. This doesn't mean you have cancer or will get cancer. It just means that some of your cells are abnormal, and if they're not treated they may develop into cervical cancer.

HPV primary screening test results

If your sample is first tested for HPV (known as HPV primary screening), then what happens next depends on whether HPV is found.

HPV negative means no HPV was found. In this case, no further tests need to be carried out on the sample, and you'll simply be called back for screening again in three to five years (depending on your age).

HPV positive meansHPV has been found in your sample. In this case, the sample will also be tested for abnormal cells. If no abnormal cells are found, you'll be asked to come back for screening again in 12 months to see if the HPV has gone.

If abnormal cells are found along with an HPV positive result, you'll be referred for colposcopy.

Colposcopy

A colposcopy is a simple examination that uses a special microscope called a colposcope to examine your cervix. Having colposcopy is very much like having cervical screening. The colposcope doesnt go inside you. It can identify the extent of abnormal cells and helps to determine whether you need treatment.

A small sample of tissue( Biopsy ) may also be taken from your cervix during colposcopy.

Sometimes you'll be offered treatment to remove abnormal cells at the same time as your colposcopy examination. More extensive types of treatment may require a separate appointment.

and the different types of treatment to remove abnormal cells in the cervix .