CERVICAL SMEARS
These can either be done by either your GP or one of the practice nurses. New guidelines now suggest the following standards;
Under 25 years of age no smear
Between 25 and 49 years of age 3 year interval
Between 50 and 64 years of age 5 year interval
This is a change from the previous 5 year screening program. Any women already screened under the age of 25 years old will remain in the program.
Sometimes the cytologist or consultant will request more frequent testing. When invited please arrange an appointment as soon as convenient. The test is best carried out at the midcycle point i.e. Day 14 of a 28 day cycle. Younger women of child-bearing age will be offered screening for Chlamydial infection. Smear reports are usually back within four weeks and we will write to you as soon as possible with the results. If you have not received a letter within eight weeks please enquire at the surgery. For technical reasons it is sometimes difficult to take a good smear and the laboratory sometime reject a specimen and ask for it to be repeated. If you are invited for a smear but are unhappy about having it done please either inform us or discuss this further with your GP.