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Cervical screening results and next steps

Your GP or clinic sends the sample taken at your cervical screening appointment to a quality-assured lab provider we work with.

Labs we use

Our lab providers are:

  • the National Cervical Screening Laboratory
  • Quest Diagnostics Inc. in the US

We regularly meet the labs to make sure they meet our standards for safe, accurate and consistent testing.

Lab testing

The sample is checked in a lab first for the 14 high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer.

If HPV is found, the same sample will be checked for abnormal changes to cells in your cervix. These are called abnormal cells or pre-cancerous cells. They are not cancer but they can lead to cancer.

When you get your results

The waiting time to get your cervical screening results is 2 to 4 weeks after your appointment.

The lab sends a report to your GP electronically. Your GP may contact you with the result before we do.

We send you a letter by post with your results and next steps.

You cannot see your cervical screening results on the online CervicalCheck register.

Try not to worry if your results are taking longer than 4 weeks. It does not mean anything is wrong. In most cases, HPV is not found.

If you do not get your results within 4 weeks, phone your GP or clinic and ask if they have any update.

What your results mean

Your cervical screening result will be 1 of these:

It does not show which HPV type, or how many types, were found.

HPV was not found

HPV was not found means that you do not have HPV at this time.

We do not need to check for abnormal cell changes when HPV is not found. This is because your risk of developing cell changes is extremely low.

But you may still be at risk of developing cervical cancer in the future.

You could:

  • get HPV
  • have HPV that is dormant (inactive)
  • develop cervical cancer that is not caused by HPV

If HPV is not found, your next cervical screening will be due in 3 or 5 years, depending on your age. We will remind you to book your next cervical screening appointment when it's due.

Information:

Cervical screening is not a check for other cancers of the reproductive system, such as ovarian, womb, vulval or vaginal cancer.

HPV found

HPV found means you have HPV. When HPV is found, we check your sample for abnormal cell changes.

In most cases, people will be told that there are no abnormal cell changes.

HPV found and no abnormal cell changes found

This means your results show you have HPV. But it does not seem to be causing changes to the cells in your cervix.

You'll have a free repeat cervical screening appointment in 12 months.

If your repeat cervical screening result does not find HPV, this could mean either:

  • your immune system has cleared HPV from your body - this takes 1 to 2 years for most people
  • HPV is still in your body but is dormant or inactive for now and could come back

But in some people HPV persists (it does not go away and it is active).

You'll need to book your repeat cervical screening appointment. We'll send you a reminder in the post.

If the repeat cervical screening result shows:

  • that you do not still have HPV, you are safe to return to cervical screening every 3 or 5 years, depending on your age
  • you still have HPV, you need a follow-up procedure called a colposcopy

Having HPV does not mean you have cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a rare outcome of having HPV.

HPV that doesn't go away (persistent HPV) can cause abnormal changes to the cells of the cervix over time. In most cases, it takes about 15 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop.

Make sure to attend any follow-up tests or treatment.

HPV found and abnormal cell changes found

This means your results show you have HPV and abnormal cell changes in your cervix.

The abnormal changes will be either:

  • low-grade or minor cell changes - these are common and most clear up on their own
  • high-grade or moderate to severe cell changes - these are less likely to clear up on their own

Having a high-grade result does not mean you have cancer. It is unlikely you have cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a rare outcome of having HPV. In most cases, it takes about 15 to 20 years for cervical cancer to develop.

You need a follow-up procedure called a colposcopy.

Your GP or nurse will have more information about your result. It’s important you follow their advice.

Make sure to attend any follow-up tests or treatment.

How long you can have HPV for and not know

HPV can stay dormant (inactive) in your body for many years before it becomes active. It may never cause any cell changes.

You could test negative for HPV and then positive a few years later. This can happen even if you have not had sexual contact since your last cervical screening appointment.

You can have HPV for years and not know it.

If you have a positive HPV result:

  • we cannot say how long it has been there
  • it does not mean your sexual partner has had sexual contact with someone else
  • it does not mean you have had sexual contact with someone else
  • there is no need for your sexual partner to have a test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • there is no need for your sexual partner to have any specific treatment for HPV

Who needs cervical screening

Inadequate or unsatisfactory sample

If you get an inadequate or unsatisfactory result, it does not mean there is something wrong.

This type of result means that the lab could not process your cervical screening sample.

This may be because:

  • the sample was mislabelled
  • too much time passed before it was tested
  • the tube or container that holds the sample was damaged
  • not enough cells were collected or they could not be seen clearly enough
  • inflammation was present

You’ll need to have a free repeat cervical screening appointment. You need to wait at least 3 months so that the cells in your cervix have time to grow back and we can get the best samples.

Talk to your GP or nurse if you have any questions.

If you receive 3 inadequate results in a row, you will be referred for a colposcopy.

If you need a colposcopy

A colposcopy is a more detailed look at your cervix. It is similar to having cervical screening.

Your GP or nurse will arrange a colposcopy for you. If you are referred through CervicalCheck, it is free.

You will have your colposcopy in a hospital outpatient department. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes and you can go home the same day.

Having a colposcopy

What your colposcopy results mean

Page last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Next review due: 1 June 2029