Cervical smear test

What is it?

• A swab of sample cells from the cervix which are placed in solution for laboratory analysis
• We use a new liquid-based method (LBC - liquid based cytology) which gives a greatly reduced failure rate of less than three percent compared with about 10 percent for the traditional method
• Advised for all women who are at risk from cervical cancer
• Women over 65 can still opt to have a smear and this will be discussed with the doctor

Health implications

• Identifying pre-cancerous changes in the cervical cells allows early intervention and therefore increased chances of successful treatment.