Cervical Screening in London – How Often Should You Have a Smear Test?

Reviewed by Dr Lauren Holland • Marylebone Diagnostic Centre
Results within 24 – 42 hours. Westminster residents receive 20% off.

Cervical screening (commonly called the smear test) is one of the most important checks for women’s health. It helps detect early changes in cervical cells before they develop into cancer. Many women in London are unsure about how often they need a smear test, whether age affects screening, or what to do if they have symptoms between routine tests.

At Marylebone Diagnostic Centre (MDC), our doctors support women with full sexual health assessments, HPV-related blood tests, pelvic pain testing, hormone profiles and general women’s health checks. This guide explains smear test timing, cervical cancer prevention, and which tests MDC can provide alongside cervical screening.

How Often Should You Have a Smear Test in the UK?

In the UK, national guidelines recommend:

• Ages 25–49: every 3 years
• Ages 50–64: every 5 years
• Under 25: only if there are symptoms or clinical concerns
• 65+ years: screening stops unless recent results were abnormal

If you come from a country where smear tests start earlier (Middle East, Asia, parts of Africa), these UK rules may feel different. However, the intervals are based on strong evidence showing cervical cancer develops slowly.

When You May Need Testing Earlier or More Often

Seek testing outside routine intervals if you have:

• bleeding after sex
• pelvic pain
• unusual discharge
• persistent HPV
• previous abnormal smear
• weakened immune system
• new sexual partners
• personal anxiety about cervical health

MDC clinicians can assess your symptoms, offer relevant blood tests and refer you for urgent smear testing when needed.

What Age Do Smear Tests Start in the UK?

Routine screening begins at age 25.
Before 25, false positives are more common, and changes usually resolve naturally.

However, if you are sexually active and have symptoms, we can assess you and provide:

• pelvic infection testing
• STI/HPV risk assessment
• hormone and fertility testing
• pelvic health blood tests

Our women’s health doctors see patients across all age groups.

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2025 – Why It Matters

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week raises awareness of:

• HPV vaccination
• cervical screening
• HPV-related risks
• early detection
• women’s health inequality

Many women miss smear tests due to anxiety, embarrassment, work hours or symptoms they assume will resolve. MDC supports prevention by offering:

• private consultations
• full women’s health profiles
• guidance on smear timing
• HPV-related blood testing (where appropriate)
• sexual health screening

Even though a smear must be performed via a cervical sample, the surrounding blood tests play a vital role in overall women’s health.

What MDC Offers for Women’s Health

While cervical smear cytology is not processed in-house, MDC provides comprehensive women’s screening including:

Full Sexual Health Testing

Ideal for women with discharge, pelvic pain or new partners.
Panel may include:

• chlamydia
• gonorrhoea
• mycoplasma
• ureaplasma
• trichomonas
• syphilis
• HIV
• hepatitis B & C

Pelvic Pain Blood & Urine Testing

Helpful for women experiencing:

• pain during sex
• bleeding
• recurrent infections
• lower abdominal discomfort

Women’s Wellness Blood Profile

Useful for:

• fatigue
• hormonal imbalance
• heavy periods
• thyroid symptoms
• vitamin deficiency

Tests include:

• FBC
• ferritin
• thyroid panel
• vitamin D
• vitamin B12
• kidney + liver function
• HbA1c

Female Fertility Hormone Panel

Recommended for women planning pregnancy or experiencing cycle irregularity.

HPV-related blood assessments

While HPV testing itself requires a cervical sample, related markers and sexual health panels can help assess broader risk.

MDC doctors can provide medical letters, referral notes and next-step guidance when smear testing or colposcopy is required.

Smear Test vs. Sexual Health Testing – What’s the Difference?

Signs You Should See a Doctor Before Your Next Routine Smear

If you experience any of the following, book a consultation:

• bleeding after intercourse
• persistent pelvic pain
• irregular or heavy bleeding
• new discharge
• foul odour
• pain during sex
• low abdomen pain
• unexplained fatigue
• recurrent urinary infections

These symptoms may not be caused by cervical issues alone – they can come from infections, hormone changes, iron deficiency, or pelvic inflammation.

MDC can investigate all of these through blood tests and clinical review.

How MDC Supports Cervical Health Even Without Performing Smears On-Site

• We provide doctors who review symptoms.
• We offer STI and infection testing, common causes of pelvic discomfort.
• We run women’s wellness tests to identify causes of tiredness, irregular cycles or bleeding.
• We help assess fertility and hormones.
• Our clinicians can write a medical referral for smear or colposcopy if needed.
• We support patients during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week with education and screening reminders.

This allows MDC to remain fully compliant while still being a leader in women’s health diagnostics.

FAQs – Smear Tests & Cervical Health

Book Your Women’s Health Consultation at Marylebone Diagnostic Centre

Marylebone Diagnostic Centre
73 Baker Street, London W1U 6RD
Tel: +44 7495 970109
Open Monday–Saturday, 08:00–16:00

Fast, private, and confidential blood testing with results in 24–42 hours.
Westminster residents receive 20% off.

Quick Links

• Women’s Health Tests
• Female Fertility Hormone Panel
• HIV 4th Generation Test
• Advanced Sexual Health Panel
• Sexual Health Tests
• Syphilis Test
• Hepatitis B & C Tests
• Urine Analysis

Read More

• NHS – Cervical Screening
• Cancer Research UK – Cervical Cancer Prevention
• British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (BSCCP)