Cervical Screening

Make your health a priority—screening is quick, effective, and free on the NHS.

Are You Due for Your Cervical Screening?
If you’re aged 25 to 64 and have a cervix, you’ll receive a letter by post inviting you to book an appointment.

Screening frequency:

• Every 3 years if you’re aged 25 to 49
• Every 5 years if you’re aged 50 to 64

Screening usually stops at 65, unless your recent results from your previous screening were abnormal.

Can’t Make an Appointment During the Week?
RGPA offers weekend cervical screening appointments at one of our designated Primary Care Hubs in the borough of Richmond. These are ideal if weekday appointments are difficult to attend due to work, childcare, or other commitments.

Ask your GP practice about weekend availability or call your local hub to book directly.

Who Is Eligible?
You can attend cervical screening if you are:

• Aged 25–64 and have a cervix
• A trans man with a cervix – you won’t automatically receive an invite if registered as male, but you’re still eligible.
• A woman or trans person registered as female – you’ll be invited automatically

If you’ve had a hysterectomy and no longer have a cervix, you won’t need screening

What to Expect

You’ll receive a screening invite by post

• A sample is taken during a routine pelvic exam
• Your sample is tested for high-risk HPV, the virus that causes most cervical cancers
• If HPV is detected, the sample is checked for abnormal cells
• If abnormalities are found, you’ll be referred for further care

If you are due or have had a reminder you are due book your appointment today.
📞 Call your GP practice or book online via your GP’s website
🗓️ Ask about evening or weekend clinics available in Richmond
🏥 Some areas may also offer appointments at sexual health clinics or walk-in centres

Already Had the HPV Vaccine?
Great! But you still need screening. The vaccine protects against some, not all HPV types.

Support and Information
If you’re feeling unsure, you’re not alone.

💬 Speak to your precices’s nurse, or Eve Appeal’s “Ask Eve” service
📞 Free Helpline: 0808 802 0019
🏳️‍⚧️ Trans or non-binary? Contact your GP or local gender identity clinic for personalised advice

Let’s Reduce Cervical Cancer Together. Early detection can save your life.
Look out for your invitation letter, or check with your GP if you’re not sure when you’re due.

🔗 More on cervical screening from the NHS