Suite A, 117A Harley St, Marylebone,London W1G 6AT, UK
Mon - Fri : 9:00 - 18:00 Sat - Sun : Closed for now
We perform private cervical smear tests along with HPV testing. There is sub-typing of HPV available in the case your test result is positive. This will enable you to know if your virus strain is at higher or lower risk.
There is a vaccine available against human papillomavirus, or HPV. When you are not sexually active, this vaccine may be given to a woman of any age. If you are sexually active, we advise you to check your current HPV status.
A cervical smear test is conducted to detect whether there are any abnormalities in the cervix cells. Also called a PAP test or PAP smear test, these terms can be used interchangeably. The test will identify any uncertainties in your cervix cells. Such abnormalities might develop into cancer cells in the future. When you find abnormal signs in the cells, it is important to treat them after the PAP test.
Live life to the fullest with our range of Consultant-led Gynaecological services.
BOOK ONLINE NOWit's easier, quicker and only takes 30 sec
If you suffer from an abnormal smear, the doctor will arrange a private appointment and give advice on the next steps of treatment, depending on your case.
Schedule the time: Try to arrange the test for the middle of your menstrual cycle, which means avoiding your periods.
Avoid certain activities: Refrain from any kind of sexual intercourse, use of lubricants, tampons, or vaginal medicines 24 hours before the test.
Wear comfortable clothing: Wear something easy to undress from your waist down. Relaxation: Remain calm and take a pain reliever like ibuprofen if you are prone to discomfort.
Procedure Awareness: Understand the test involves a speculum and a brush for cell collection.
Post-Test Care: Expect possible light discomfort or spotting, and you can resume your normal activities right away.
Results Wait: Typically, it takes a few weeks to receive results.
Regular Screening: Follow your doctor’s advice on screening frequency.
The appointment for smear test lasts for almost 10 minutes but the actual test only takes one or two minutes. Our doctor will perform the test and make you feel comfortable at the clinic.
A PAP smear test might be uncomfortable as the doctor will use a speculum to open the vagina gently so that they can view the cervix. After this, they will use a small brush to take a sample of the cells from your cervix. There should be no pain whatsoever, and our doctors are extremely experienced in making women feel as comfortable as possible during the examination.
There will be a consultation session with a smear price of around £250. The doctor will give a follow-up call after the test results arrive. In the case your smear detects any abnormalities, you will need to discuss possible options for future steps including probable referrals.
The results for cervical screening will be sent to you in a letter, which our doctor will happily arrange to review with you, if you so wish.
Nine out of ten smear tests seem to deliver most appropriate result. If the test is normal, you will be invited for routine screening after three to five years, according to your age.
Sometimes the result might be 'inadequate' as there weren’t sufficient cells present in the sample or the cells couldn’t be seen easily. This may occur due to an infection. If this takes place, then you will be asked to perform another test after three months.
|
Result |
What it actually means |
|
Irregular with lower-grade or borderline cell changes |
If no HPV has been found, then you will be asked to perform screening again within 3 or 5 years. |
|
Unusual with higher-grade cell changes |
Colposcopy is highly recommended. |
|
HPV result is positive without any cell change |
You will be asked for a screening again within a year to check that the HPV has cleared. |
|
HPV found positive with cell changes |
A colposcopy may be recommended to you. |
A smear test does not screen for a bacterial or fungal infection - such as BV or Candida. A smear test refers to HPV related cell changes.
Yes, it is extremely important to go for routine smear tests even if you do not currently have sex. Smear tests enable us to detect sudden changes in the cells of your cervix that can develop into cervical cancer, if not treated on time. These changes usually develop because of a human papilloma virus (HPV) infection.
HPV infections are common and may be spread when you have sex with your partner. Most women get HPV at some point of time in their lives. In the vast majority of cases, your body fights against the infection and you will not know you had this virus. A smear test will enable to check for sudden changes in cervical cells that occur due to HPV infections.
If you are sexually active, then you should perform regular smear tests. For some women, the virus may lie dormant and lead to abnormal cells, so routine screening is highly recommended.
You will come across different treatments that can either destroy abnormal cells or remove the area of the cervix where the cells are present.
If the smear test shows cells with moderate changes, then you might be asked to go for a colposcopy. If the doctor doing your colposcopy detects an area of your cervix to be abnormal, then they may ask you to perform a biopsy. This small sample of the unusual tissue will then be sent to the laboratory for testing.
Based on the results, you might have to perform the treatment to remove or destroy your abnormal cells. This is known as a large-loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) or loop diathermy. In this method, your doctor will use a wire loop through an electric current to remove unusual cells.
You will have to undergo this treatment under local anaesthesia but general anaesthesia might be another option for you. Other treatments that can destroy abnormal cells are – laser therapy, cold coagulation and cryotherapy (freezing).
Eight out of ten people in the UK get this kind of virus at some point in time. This virus is usually found on the hands, fingers, genitals, and mouth. There are different kinds of HPV, and most of them do not cause harm, though nearly 30 of them may lead to cervical cancer.
Routine smear tests are an important part of a woman’s healthcare, and getting them done privately has several benefits:
