Cervical Screening

Why have a cervical smear test?

A smear test is a simple examination to check the health of a woman’s cervix. It is called a smear test (or Pap smear) because the doctor or nurse takes a small sample of cervical cells to be analysed by our laboratory. If abnormal cells are found, in many cases they will go back to normal on their own, but sometimes they continue to develop. If left untreated, these cells may eventually develop into cancer. However, it usually takes more than ten years for this to happen, and cervical cancer can easily be prevented if abnormal changes are found and treated early.

We are currently offering cervical smear tests using Liquid Based Cytology.

The results can be sent to your GP and we can carry out screening on those less than 25 years of age.

How can I arrange a test?

Please phone our clinic to book an appointment; smear tests are usually performed on Tuesdays but may be available at other times. The date you book also needs to be in the middle of your menstrual cycle.

If you are not sure when that is, please phone us for advice.


What does the test involve?

During the test, the doctor will insert a small instrument called a speculum into the vagina. This is then opened up to allow the doctor to see the cervix, which is the neck of the uterus (womb). A very small plastic brush is then used to sweep the surface of the cervix. This brush is then placed into a special container of fluid which is then sent to our laboratory.

 

While at Clinic Express why not also have a sexual health screen? We can test for the commonest sexually transmitted infections at the same time as your smear test.

All tests for sexually transmitted infections and their results are based on your clinical number and date of birth and not your name to ensure accuracy and security of care.

We aim to provide professional yet sympathetic treatment in a relaxed and friendly environment.



Liquid Based Cytology

Clinic Express uses the Cytyc Imaging system as an enhanced Quality Control.

Liquid Based Cytology has been shown to be more accurate than the traditional slide smear, resulting in fewer false-negatives and inadequate smears. The sample is taken just like a standard smear, but instead of smearing the cells onto a glass slide, the top of the spatula, or brush, is placed in a small tube filled with preservative liquid. This enables the laboratory to separate out mucus and blood before analysing the cells.

With liquid-based cytology the sample cells can also be tested for HPV (the sexually transmitted infection linked to 99% of cervical cancers) and chlamydia. This helps to identify HPV early – before cell changes have begun – and gives women with the virus the opportunity to have more frequent screening. If the results show both cell changes and HPV, the woman may be referred more quickly for tests and treatment.

Making an appointment.

 

Clinic Express offer smear tests by appointment only.

Please call us on 0117 92 999 00 or email clinic@clinic-express.co.uk


Cost


Consultation with cervical smear test only £60

Consultation with cervical smear and HPV test £190

Add a Cervical smear test to an STD screening package and it will cost only £30

 

 

Further information

NHS cervical screening programme
www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk


British Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology
www.bsccp.org.uk


CancerHelp UK
0800 226 237
www.cancerhelp.org.uk


Sources

Cervical screening a pocket guide. NHS Cervical Screening Programme.
www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/index.html


Cancer: number of new cases 2003, by sex and age. National Statistics.
www.statistics.gov.uk


NHS Cervical Screening Programme. Cancer Screening Programmes. National Health Service (NHS).
www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk


Cervical screening: the facts. Department of Health.
www.dh.gov.uk


The use of liquid-based cytology for cervical screening. National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). October 2003.
www.nice.org.uk


Treatment for abnormal smear. Cancer Research UK.
www.cancerhelp.org.uk


What your abnormal result means. National Health Service (NHS) Cervical Screening Programme.
www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk

We aim to provide an atmosphere of professional yet sympathetic treatment in a relaxed and friendly environment which promotes best practice in the area of sexual health and well being. Doctor-Patient confidentiality is at the core of everything we do.


CLINIC EXPRESS IS DISCREET, SAFE, FAST, CLEAN, PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
NO APPOINTMENT IS NEEDED, WALK IN AND GET TESTED TODAY!