Primacare -Cervical Smear Tests - GP, Dentist, Doctor, Medical Services, Lucan, Firhouse, Clonee, Swords, Dundrum, Tyrellstown, Dublin, Ireland

Cervical Smear Tests

Free Smear Test

Primacare are part of the National Screening programme providing a FREE smear test to women aged 25 to 60.

If you are aged between 25 and 44, you are generally advised to have a smear test every three years. For those aged between 45 and 60, you should have a smear test every five years. The purpose of screening is to detect cell changes before they become cancerous. You will find more information on Cervical Smear Tests below.

Cervical Smear Tests are available in the following locations:

What is a cervical smear test?

What is a cervical smear test? A sample of cells is taken from the cervix, the neck of the womb, and checked in a laboratory to look for any abnormal cells. Minor cell changes are fairly common and usually clear up without any treatment. In women where the cell changes do not resolve or where there are more significant cell changes, a referral to a gynaecology unit is made.

Who should have a cervical screening test ?

All women aged 25 to 64 should have regular tests. For women aged 25-49 it is usually done every three years. For women aged 50-64 it is usually done every five years. From the age of 65, most women do not need any more tests. However, women aged 65 or over who have not had a test since age 50, or have had recent abnormal tests, will still be advised to be screened. So, a test may be advised for some women aged 65 or more.

Is there a particular time of the menstrual cycle to have a smear test?

Yes. Somewhere in the middle of your cycle is best. Provided your period is over by at least three or four days.

What do the results of the cervical screening test mean?

Normal Result

The majority of cervical screening tests are normal. You will be sent a letter inviting you for another smear test in 3-5 years.

Inadequate test

This sometimes occurs and implies no result can be given. For example, if the smear method was used, an inadequate test may occur because there was some blood or too much mucus on the slide and the cells could not be seen properly. You will be asked to attend for a repeat test. However, with the newer liquid based cytology method, the number of tests that are 'inadequate' and need repeating is much less than with the traditional smear method.

Abnormal result

Some changes in the cells are found in about 1 in 10 tests. There is a range of changes that may occur. In nearly all cases, these changes do not mean cancer. Minor or borderline abnormal changes are quite common. These often clear away on their own and most mild changes do not progress to anything serious. However, any change needs to be monitored as some may progress to become more serious in the future. A repeat test after 3-12 months is commonly advised, depending on the type and degree of change. Often the changes will have gone when the test is repeated. If the changes do not go, or the changes are more marked, then a referral to colposcopy is advised. Rarely, a cancer of the cervix is diagnosed by a cervical screening test.

How to Apply

A CervicalCheck letter of invitation is required before making an appointment for your first free smear test with a Primacare registered smeartaker. Providing your contact details through the online registration will enable Cervicalcheck to ensure that you are on the CervicalCheck register and that your details are correct. All women aged 25 to 60 years on the CervicalCheck register will receive a letter of invitation in due course.

To register for your Cervicalcheck letter please click the following link and submit your online application https://www.cervicalcheck.ie/self_register/online_registration_form.459.selfregister.html

The CervicalCheck register (list) is a secure, electronic database. All details submitted through the form are encrypted and can only be accessed by CervicalCheck. Registration does not lead to a smear test appointment.

On receipt of your CervicalCheck Letter of invitation please contact Primacare on 1890 703 703 or bookings@primacare.ie to book your appointment at a time convenient to you with our registered smeartaker.