Under the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, all women between the ages of 25 and 65 are regularly invited for a smear test. The system is automated; so long as you are registered with a GP you should receive a letter asking you to make an appointment.
As a result of research that evaluated the optimal frequency for cervical screening, women are now invited for their first test at 25. They’re then invited every three years until the age of 49, and every five years from 50 to 64. From 65, only those who’ve had recent abnormal tests are offered another test.
We would like to stress the importance of women attending for smear tests when called to do so. They can pick up early changes and can help avoid cervical cancer.