Your cervical screening test results are sent to you in a letter to the address that you are registered at. Depending on the content of your letter, you might have to take further steps.
Getting your cervical screening results
You will usually get your results within 4 weeks of your screening test. If you have waited longer, call your GP or clinic to see if they have any updates. Your GP gets your result electronically. This means it arrives before your letter does. They may contact you with the result before you get your letter.
Try not to worry if your results are taking longer than 4 weeks. It does not mean anything is wrong. Most people’s results are normal (no HPV found).
What your results letter means
Your cervical screening results letter explains what was tested for and what your results mean.
There are 14 high-risk types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. Cervical screening looks to see if you have any of these. It does not tell us which HPV type, or how many types, were found.
Your letter may say:
- HPV not found
- HPV found and no abnormal cell changes found
- HPV found and abnormal cell changes found
- inadequate or unsatisfactory sample
If HPV is not found
This means you do not have a HPV infection at this time. You will have your next screening test in 3 or 5 years depending on your age. CervicalCheck will write to you when your next screening test is due.
CervicalCheck does not need to check your cells when HPV is not found. This is because your risk of developing cell changes is extremely low.
You still need to attend your next screening test when it’s due. You may still be at risk of developing cervical cancer in the future. You could get a HPV infection in the future or have a HPV infection that is dormant (inactive).
If HPV is found and no abnormal cell changes found
This means your results show you have a HPV infection. But it does not seem to be causing changes to the cells in your cervix.
You should have a repeat test in 12 months or as directed in your correspondence letter from the CervicalCheck. This will give your body some time to clear the HPV infection. Most people’s immune system clears HPV from their body in 1 to 2 years. But in some people the infection persists (it does not go away and it is active).
Your repeat test in 12 months will check if the infection has gone. If it has, you are safe to return to screening every 3 or 5 years, depending on your age.
If the repeat test shows you still have HPV, you will have a follow-up procedure called a colposcopy.
Having HPV does not mean you have cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a rare outcome of a HPV infection.
HPV that doesn’t go away (persistent HPV) can cause changes to the cells of the cervix over time.
In most cases, it takes about 15 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop.
If HPV is found and abnormal cell changes found
Your results show you have a HPV infection and abnormal cells in your cervix.
You need a follow-up procedure called a colposcopy.
Your GP or nurse will have more information about your result. It is important you follow their advice and the advice that is on the letter sent from the CervicalCheck.
It is unlikely you have cervical cancer. You may have a pre cancer. Cervical cancer is a rare outcome of a HPV infection. In most case, it takes about 15 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop.
Inadequate or unsatisfactory sample
If you get an inadequate or unsatisfactory result, it does not mean there is something wrong.
This type of result means that the lab could not process your screening test sample.
This may be because:
- the sample was not suitable for HPV testing, has expired or may have been mislabelled
- not enough cells were collected or they could not be seen clearly enough
- inflammation was present
- the vial (tube the sample is put in) has expired or has been damaged
You will need to have a repeat test. You need to wait at least 13 weeks so that the cells in your cervix have time to grow back and the best samples can then be accessed in the repeat screening.
Talk to your GP or nurse if you have any questions.
If you receive 3 inadequate results in a row, you will be referred for a colposcopy.
What your results mean for your next test
Normal Result (if HPV is not found)
If you recently attended cervical screening and your test results were normal, you will be invited for cervical screening in 3 or 5 years after your last test. This will depend on your age.
In Ireland, cervical screening is recommended every 3 years from age 25 to 29 and every 5 years from age 30 to 65, as long as your results are normal.
You will get an invitation letter when your next test is due to the address that is registered on the National Cervical Screening registry.
To see what address you are registered with please look up the cervical screening register.
HPV Positive Results (if HPV is found)
If you are HPV positive you may need screening more often. If your results found low-grade abnormal cells, follow the advice you were given in your result letter. If you have had a colposcopy or treatment for abnormal cells, your health care provider will tell you when to have a cervical screening test.
If you missed your last test
You do not need to wait for a letter to book an appointment if you missed your last cervical screening test. You need to book your screening test yourself. You can click on this link to book your test:
Booking a test (clicking on this link will bring you to an external website)
If you are not due a test but want to have one
If your test is not due, but you still want to have one, you can pay for a private screening test. This test will not be free as it is not part of the national screening programme.
Your screening history
Having an accurate record of your screening history helps CervicalCheck to make sure you get the best treatment or advice. CervicalCheck can only access information which has been conducted within the cervical screening programme.Your screening history will not include information on any private tests you have. For example if you had a HPV screening or colposcopy as a private patient. The lab that tests your private test sample will also not have access to your screening history.
If you have never had a cervical screening or smear test
If you have never had a screening test before, you can still have one with a registered GP, doctor or clinic. You just need to be aged 25 to 65. To register for a test please click on the following:
Check register (clicking on this link will bring you to an external website).
Acknowledgement
This page contains information based upon content from reliable sources including the HSE’s website (this link will take you to an external website).