January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and Cervical Cancer Prevention Week runs 20–26 January. If your smear is overdue, now is the time to act.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in the UK. The NHS cervical screening programme saves an estimated 5,000 lives per year — and yet, attendance rates have been falling for over a decade. Around 1 in 3 eligible women in England does not attend their smear test when invited.
The reasons vary. NHS waiting times have extended. Some women find the experience uncomfortable or anxiety-inducing in a busy GP surgery. Some have had bad past experiences. Some simply receive their invitation at an inconvenient time and never rebook. Whatever the reason, an overdue smear is a risk that's straightforward to address — and a private smear at Lambert Medical Practice in Surbiton can be arranged within days.
A cervical smear test (also called cervical screening) is not a test for cervical cancer. It's a test to detect abnormal changes in cervical cells — changes that, if left untreated, could develop into cancer over several years. The vast majority of abnormal smear results are low-grade and simply require monitoring. A small proportion require treatment, which is straightforward and highly effective when abnormalities are caught early.
Cervical cancer is caused in almost all cases by high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). The NHS now uses HPV primary testing — your sample is first tested for HPV, and only if HPV is detected are the cells then examined under microscopy for abnormal changes (cytology). Lambert Medical Practice uses the same HPV primary testing approach for private samples sent to accredited laboratories.
In England, cervical screening is recommended for:
Women who have had the HPV vaccine still need smear tests — the vaccine protects against the two most common high-risk HPV strains but not all of them.
Consider a private smear at Lambert Medical Practice if:
The clinical procedure is identical to an NHS smear. The difference is the environment and the amount of time available.
Dr Dela will explain the procedure and answer any questions. She'll ask about your menstrual cycle to ensure timing is appropriate (best performed mid-cycle, away from your period). You'll be asked to undress from the waist down and lie on the examination couch. A sheet is provided for comfort.
A speculum (smooth, plastic instrument) is gently inserted to hold the walls of the vagina open. Dr Dela uses a soft brush to take a small cell sample from the cervix. The procedure takes around 60–90 seconds. Some women experience mild discomfort; most describe it as a slight pressure. If you feel pain, tell Dr Dela immediately.
The sample is sent to an accredited laboratory for HPV primary testing. Results typically take 7–10 working days. Dr Dela will explain when and how to expect your results, and what each possible outcome means so you're not left wondering.
Results are communicated clearly — by phone, email, or letter according to your preference. If your result is normal (HPV not detected), no further action is needed until your next scheduled smear. If HPV is detected, Dr Dela will explain the next step, which may be further cytology review or colposcopy referral.
Smear results can be confusing. Here's a plain-language summary:
| Result | What it means | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| HPV not detected | No high-risk HPV found — routine result | Continue routine 3 or 5-year screening schedule |
| HPV detected, no cell changes | HPV present but cells look normal | Repeat smear in 1 year to monitor |
| HPV + low-grade cell changes (CIN1) | Minor abnormality — very common | Colposcopy referral for closer examination |
| HPV + high-grade cell changes (CIN2/3) | More significant abnormality — still treatable | Colposcopy + possible treatment (LLETZ) |
| Inadequate sample | Not enough cells to analyse | Repeat smear — does not indicate a problem |
It's important to remember that abnormal smear results do not mean cancer. CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) refers to pre-cancerous cell changes — cells that have changed in a way that could develop into cancer over many years without treatment. Treatment is very effective at this stage.
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the UK. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week runs 20–26 January 2027. This is a week when gynaecology charities, NHS trusts, and private clinics across the UK raise awareness of the importance of cervical screening — particularly among women who haven't attended for several years.
At Lambert Medical Practice, we're committed to making smear tests as accessible as possible. If your smear is overdue, January is an ideal time to act. Our Surbiton clinic is easily reachable from Kingston, Tolworth, New Malden, Esher, Wimbledon, and Thames Ditton — usually available within a few days.
Dr Dela Dillon-Gbekor MRCGP DFSRH · Surbiton, Surrey · Same-week appointments · No referral