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Guidance

Your guide to NHS cervical screening

This leaflet is sent to all women invited for NHS cervical screening.

Updates to this page

From:
NHS England
Published:
13 March 2012
Last updated:
23 March 2026
Show all updates

  1. Changed 'your results letter' to 'your result' to take account of digital results messages.

  2. Information on what screening does and does not check for relocated from 'Possible risks of cervical screening' to 'Why the NHS offers cervical screening'.

  3. Added the HTML attachment 'Audio transcript: Your guide to NHS cervical screening podcast', including introductory text, video link and transcript.

  4. Added BSL video.

  5. Added German translation.

  6. Re-introduced data protection statement at end of document.

  7. Removed the word 'letter' from 'Your results letter will confirm this' in 'HPV negative' section to reflect fact that results also sent via app from Sept 2025.

  8. Updated page title. Changed content type to guidance.

  9. Revised leaflet following a full review with input from clinical, patient and charity groups. Reflects new cervical screening intervals. 30 new translations published. Information about CSAS (call/recall provider) removed.

  10. Removed the 'Cervical screening: helping you decide - for print' file. The HTML version is available for print.

  11. Added a Hindi translation of the cervical screening leaflet.

  12. Added NHS England contact details for requesting alternative formats.

  13. Updating confidentiality section, replacing mention of Public Health England with NHS England.

  14. Addition of plain A4 PDF version for printing, to provide for people unable to access this information online.

  15. Added lifetime screening animation to the landing page.

  16. Added translated documents in 10 languages.

  17. Updated cervical screening leaflet.

  18. Added an HTML version of this leaflet. You can view and download it in large print, and use a screen reader for an audio version.

  19. The translations re-uploaded to this page date from 2014, and content differs slightly from the current English version. New translations will be available later in the year to accompany a new version of the English leaflet.

  20. Updated English version of leaflet to add information on data use and protection.

  21. Added link to new audio version of leaflet.

  22. Added translated versions of cervical screening: leaflet for women considering screening.

  23. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Your guide to NHS cervical screening

HTML

Audio transcript: Your guide to NHS cervical screening podcast

HTML

British Sign Language (BSL) signed content: Taking part in NHS cervical screening

HTML

Details

This publication explains NHS cervical screening.

It includes information about:

  • who is eligible for screening
  • the cervical screening process
  • what screening looks for
  • human papillomavirus (HPV) testing
  • what HPV is

Free printed copies of this leaflet are provided for national call and recall to send to people with their screening invitations.

This information is available in HTML format to print out and provide for people who cannot access digital information (see list above), and language translations are also available in 30 languages.

A simple animation showing screening tests offered to women throughout their lives, including cervical screening, is available:

To request another format, you can phone 0300 311 22 33 or email england.contactus@nhs.net.

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