Screening Guide
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical screening looks for HPV and early cell changes long before cancer develops, so problems can be treated simply and early.
Overview
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Almost all cases are caused by long-lasting infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus passed on through sexual contact.
The good news is that it usually takes many years, often 15 to 20, for HPV to turn normal cells into cancer. Screening gives you a chance to find the virus or early cell changes during this long window, when treatment is simple and very effective.
Screening is for women who feel well. It is not a test for symptoms, and it works best alongside HPV vaccination.
Who may want to understand this screening
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that women start regular cervical screening at age 30, using an HPV DNA test as the first test. If your HPV test is negative, WHO suggests repeating it every 5 to 10 years. Where HPV testing isn't used and you have a Pap smear (cytology) instead, WHO suggests screening every 3 years.
If you are living with HIV, your risk is higher and changes can progress faster. WHO suggests starting at age 25 and repeating HPV testing every 3 to 5 years.
After age 50, WHO suggests you can stop screening once you have had two negative results in a row at the recommended interval. Your doctor will check your history before advising this.
If you have symptoms, please don't wait for your next screening. See a doctor if you notice bleeding between periods, after sex or after menopause, unusual or smelly vaginal discharge, or ongoing pelvic or back pain.
What screening may involve
An HPV DNA test looks for the high-risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. A Pap smear looks at cells from the cervix (the neck of the womb) under a microscope for early changes. Sometimes both are done from the same sample.
On the day, you lie on a couch and the doctor gently places a speculum (a smooth instrument) into the vagina to see the cervix. A soft brush collects a sample from the cervix. It takes only a few minutes and may feel a little uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be painful. Tell us if you'd like to stop at any time.
WHO also supports self-collected samples for HPV testing, where you take a swab from your own vagina. Self-collected samples have been shown to be as reliable as samples taken by a health worker. Ask your doctor whether this option suits you.
What screening can — and cannot — tell you
A negative HPV test is very reassuring. It means your risk of developing cervical cancer in the next several years is low, which is why the gap between tests can be long.
A positive HPV test does not mean you have cancer. Most HPV infections clear on their own. It means you need a closer look, such as a Pap smear or a referral for colposcopy (a magnified examination of the cervix), to see whether any cells have changed.
No screening test is perfect. A small number of changes can be missed, so a normal result doesn't protect you from symptoms that appear later. Screening also doesn't check your ovaries, womb or other pelvic organs.
If early cell changes are found, they can usually be treated with a quick procedure before they ever become cancer. Your doctor will explain the next steps clearly.
Practical considerations
Try to book your test when you are not having your period. For a day or two beforehand, avoid vaginal creams, pessaries or douching, as these can affect the sample.
Bring your previous screening results if you have them, and let the doctor know if you are pregnant, living with HIV, or have had HPV vaccination or cervical treatment before.
We will tell you how and when you'll get your results. If further tests are needed, your doctor will talk you through the plan and arrange a referral if necessary.
Sources
1. WHO guideline for screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions for cervical cancer prevention, second edition: Recommendations and good practice statements — World Health Organization, 2021
2. Cervical cancer (fact sheet) — World Health Organization, 2026
3. WHO updates recommendations on HPV vaccination schedule (Human papillomavirus vaccines: WHO position paper, December 2022) — World Health Organization, 2022
Common questions
I've had the HPV vaccine. Do I still need screening?
Yes. The vaccine protects against the most common high-risk HPV types, but not all of them, so regular screening is still important.
Is an HPV test better than a Pap smear?
WHO recommends HPV DNA testing as the first screening test because it is more sensitive for finding women at risk. A Pap smear is still useful, especially as a follow-up test after a positive HPV result.
Does a positive HPV result mean my partner was unfaithful?
No. HPV is extremely common and can stay silent in the body for many years, so it's usually impossible to know when or from whom it came.
Can I collect the sample myself?
Often, yes. WHO supports self-collected vaginal samples for HPV testing, and they have been shown to be as reliable as clinician-collected samples. Your doctor can advise if it suits you.
I'm over 50. When can I stop?
WHO suggests stopping after age 50 once you have had two negative screening results in a row at the recommended interval. If you've never been screened or had abnormal results, you should still be tested.