In Southwark, women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 49 who test negative for HPV – meaning they are at very low risk of cervical cancer over the next 10 years – are invited for for cervical screening every 5 years. If your sample indicates the presence of HPV, or you have a recent history of HPV, you will be invited to more frequent screenings to check HPV has cleared and – if not – if any cell changes have developed.
If you’re aged 50 to 64 you’re invited for cervical screening every 5 years.
If you haven't received an invitation letter but are due for screening, contact your GP.
You can ask for a female nurse if you prefer when booking your appointment.
If you need additional support, you can ask for a double-length appointment or other reasonable adjustments. You can ask for additional support if, for example, you have:
- a learning disability
- autism
- severe mental illness
CliniQ provides cervical screening services designed for transgender and non-binary people at the Caldecot Centre, King’s College Hospital.
My Body Back clinics provides cervical screening designed for those who have experienced sexual violence, including female genital mutilation (FGM).
View translated NHS resources in different languages about cervical cancer screening.
Download an easy-read guide on the benefits and risks of cervical screening.