Your smear will be sent to a laboratory for analysis.  To reduce the chances of missing any abnormalities, each slide is examined by two laboratory screeners specifically qualified in reading cervical smears.  If any abnormal cells are found, the slide will be checked by a pathologist. 

Your results will then be sent to the NCSP-Register.  This is a computer system which holds the details of women enrolled in the programme as well as details of smear takers, specialists and laboratories. 

Your results will also be sent to your smear taker who will have already talked to you about how and when you will get your results. Tell the smear taker if you want to know your result even if it is normal.

Sometimes the laboratory cannot see enough cells to give a firm result and you may be asked to have another smear test.

Nearly 95 percent of results are normal. An abnormal result hardly ever means cancer but it still needs to be followed up.

Your next smear

You should have a smear every three years under normal circumstances.  Because the National Cervical Screening Programme acts as a safety net, you will be contacted by the programme if you are overdue for a smear.

If you have had an abnormal result from a smear, your smear taker will explain to you the need to have smears taken more often.

See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of the following:

• bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
• bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse
• bleeding or spotting after menstrual periods have stopped (menopause or change of life)
• persistent pain in your pelvis
• pain during sexual intercourse
• unusual discharge from the vagina.  This discharge might be smelly, have changed colour from white to pink, brown, or green, or be steaked with blood.

These symptoms can happen for a variety of reasons and rarely mean you have cervical cancer.  But they should be checked out.