Cervical cancer screening

If you are aged between 25 and 64, your local health authority (ASL) will send you an official invitation letter to book your free screening. The team may also contact you by phone, text message, email, or via the IO app to provide more details or confirm your appointment time. You will be called by the Prevention Helpline on 080 2442901 – we recommend saving this number in your contacts so you can easily recognise it. For further information, please call the regional freephone number 800 957773.

If you received two doses of the HPV vaccine before the age of 15, you’ll receive an invitation for screening from the age of 30.
 

The screening programme is tailored to your age, following two distinct pathways.

• Ages 25 to 29 (Smear Test / Pap Test): taken every 3 years, this test directly checks cells taken from your cervix to look for any unusual changes.
• Ages 30 to 64 (HPV Test): taken every 5 years, this test checks your sample for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is the virus responsible for most unusual cell changes.

The test itself involves gently collecting a small sample of cells from your cervix. The procedure is very quick and is generally well tolerated. It is important to follow a few simple guidelines to get the most accurate results. 
Reschedule your appointment if you are experiencing any unexpected vaginal bleeding, if you currently have symptoms of a vaginal infection, or if you are having your period (in which case rebook the test at least three days after your period ends). Avoid having sexual intercourse for at least two days before your test, and do not use vaginal creams or lubricants in the three days leading up to your appointment.

Should any follow-up tests be required based on your results, these will also be provided free of charge.