The Results

How will I get my result?

All women who live in Wales receive their test results by post. We aim to provide you with your result within 4 to 6 weeks of the test being taken, but sometimes it takes a little longer.

How reliable is cervical screening?

Regular cervical screening can prevent up to 90% of cancers developing, but like other screening tests it is not perfect. It does not always detect early cell changes that may lead to cancer. Abnormal cells in your sample might be missed because:

  • Sometimes they do not look much different from normal cells
  • There may be very few abnormal cells in the sample
  • The person reading your sample may miss the abnormality (this happens occasionally, no matter how experienced the reader is).

If you have any unusual symptoms such as bleeding after sex or between periods, you should see your doctor, even if you have had a recent negative test.

What does it mean if I am called back?

It might simply mean that your sample did not show up clearly and we need to take another test. This is called an ‘unsatisfactory result’, and does not mean that there is any abnormality in the sample. About 1 in 10 tests are unsatisfactory because:

  • There may not have been enough cervical cells in the sample to give an accurate assessment;
  • You may have an infection that needs to be treated before a good quality sample can be made;
  • The cervical cells in your sample may have been hidden by blood or mucus;
  • Your sample may not have been properly prepared; or
  • Your sample may have been damaged in transit.

On the other hand, your result could identify some small changes in the cells in the cervix. If abnormal changes (known as dyskaryosis) are detected, you will have what is called an 'abnormal result'. This is unlikely to be cancer. However, sometimes very rarely cancer will be found when an abnormal result is investigated further.

For more information about what an abnormal result means, you can read the CSW leaflet 'The Smear That Needs to be Repeated'.

Can anything be done about abnormal changes?

Yes. You may be asked to come back for more cervical screening tests, because the abnormal cells may return to normal by themselves. However, you may be asked to go to hospital for a further examination, which is called colposcopy.

Treatment, if it is needed, is a minor procedure, and is normally done in an out patient clinic, which means you do not have to stay overnight.

Can cervical screening prevent cancer?

The aim of the cervical screening programme is to prevent cancer. Regular screening every three years is the best way to detect changes to the cervix early and prevent them developing into cancer. Cervical cancer is more common if you:

  • First had sex at an early age.
  • Smoke.
  • Do not use condoms.
  • Have had several sexual partners (or have had a sexual partner who has had several other partners).
  • Take immunosuppressant drugs (for example after an organ transplant).

If any of the above points apply to you, it is particularly important for you to have the test regularly, but there is no need for you to be tested more than once every three years. However, if you are HIV-positive, you are advised to have smear tests every year.

Early detection and treatment can prevent cancer developing in over 80% of cases.

[Version eCSW13v3 - edited]