Cervical Precancer -
The Patient - What should I know?

Every woman is entitled to a cervical smear test every three to five years between the ages of 20-64. They should be invited to attend by their GP, but if in doubt, consult the surgery to check whether a smear is due as no system is foolproof and errors do occur in the system.Women should receive the result of their smear by post, or be invited to discuss the result with their GP.

If the smear is not reported as negative, the exact result and its implications should be discussed. If colposcopy is recommended, a letter of referral is sent to the local colposcopy clinic and an appointment should be received in due course. Contact the clinic to confirm the referral letter has been received and when the appointment has been made. If a period is due at that time please inform the clinic as it may be impossible to perform a comprehensive examination in the presence of heavy bleeding. Women on the contraceptive pill may decide to continue with the next pill packet without a break in order to ensure that they are not bleeding at the time of their appointment.

On arrival at the clinic the woman should meet the examining doctor or nurse who should explain the procedures involved and give the patient the opportunity to ask questions about the smear result and the investigations and treatment. Ideally this should be accompanied by relevant literature.

Colposcopy clinics and pathology laboratories are subject to quality assurance checks.