Cervical Cancer Screening

CervicalCheck is Ireland's screening programme to prevent cervical cancer. The programme provides free, regular cervical screening tests to women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 65.

A HPV cervical screening test is a simple procedure that only takes minutes.

A cervical screening test is not a test for cancer. It is a test to help prevent cancer from developing. Getting a cervical screening test, the HPV vaccine and not smoking are some ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer

If you have any questions or concerns about the screening programme, contact CervicalCheck on Freephone 1800 45 45 55.

If you have any concerns about cervical cancer or have symptoms of cervical cancer, you should contact your family doctor (GP). If you do not have a GP, you can find a GP in your area.

The HPV cervical screening test is a test that looks for high-risk types of HPV cells. HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus. These HPV cells can cause cervical cancer. The HPV cervical screening was introduced in March 2020.

Read more about what HPV is and how cervical screening works.

If high-risk HPV cells are found, then you will be checked for abnormal or pre-cancerous cervical cells.

Women and people with a cervix who are aged between 25 and 65 should get a HPV cervical screening test when it is due.

When can I book a cervical screening test?

If you are 25 to 29 years, you should be screened every 3 years.

If you are 30 to 65 years, you should be screened every 5 years.

If you are HPV positive, you may need screening more often. If this applies to you, CervicalCheck will write to you and let you know.

In some cases, you may need to delay screening. For example, if you are pregnant or have given birth in less than 3 months.

If you are on the CervicalCheck register, CervicalCheck will send you
an invitation letter if you are aged between 25 and 65.

You should already be on the register if you:

• Are between 25 and 65 and have a PPS number or
• Have previously had a test through CervicalCheck

Check if you are on the CervicalCheck register.

When you receive your invitation letter, you should contact a registered GP or nurse to make an appointment.

You also do not need to be on the register to have a free screening test.

You can book CervicalCheck screening if you:

• Checked the register and your next test is due
• Missed your last cervical screening test
• Got an invitation letter from CervicalCheck
• Lost or did not get an invitation letter from CervicalCheck

Check if your cervical screening test is due.

If your test is due, you can book a test with a GP or nurse who is registered with CervicalCheck. Your GP may be on this list to provide free cervical screenings.

You can read about what happens at a cervical screening test appointment.

You will usually get your results by letter within 4 weeks of your cervical screening test.

If you have waited longer, it does not mean anything is wrong. You can phone your GP or clinic to see if they have any updates. You can check what your HPV cervical cancer results mean.

You have a right to request a review of cancer screening results and a right to be told of the outcome of this review. Read more about the HSE open disclosure policy.

If you want to have a HPV cervical screening test but you are not due to have one, you can pay to have it done privately. If you have private health insurance, you should check with your insurer if the test is included in your policy.

CervicalCheck will not have access to your private screening results, and the private lab checking your sample will not have access to your CervicalCheck screening history.

Private gynaecologists are not registered with CervicalCheck.

You can find more information about HPV cervical screening at hse.ie/cervical-screening.

You can also free-phone CervicalCheck on 1800 45 45 55.

If you move address or your details change, you can update the register so Cervical check can contact you.

Find out about opting out of the CervicalCheck register if you do not want invitations for screenings.

The Irish Cancer Society has information on cervical cancer.