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What is the cervical screening test?

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Women in the UK are offered regular cervical screening tests. During each test some cells are taken from the surface of the cervix. These cells are sent to the laboratory to be looked at under a microscope. In most tests the cells seen are normal. Dyskaryotic cells (cervical dyskaryosis) are seen in some cases.

Cervical dyskaryosis is not cervical cancer. Cervical dyskaryosis means that some cells of the cervix are abnormal, but are not cancerous. The abnormal cells are sometimes called 'pre-cancerous' cells or dysplastic cells. Depending on the degree of the abnormality of the cells, cervical dyskaryosis is classed as:

Mild dyskaryosis. This is when there are only slight cell changes. This is sometimes called CIN 1. CIN stands for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.
Moderate dyskaryosis (or CIN 2).
Severe dyskaryosis (or CIN 3). This is when the cells are very abnormal, but are still not cancerous.

In many cases the abnormal (dyskaryotic) cells do not progress to become cancerous. In some cases, they revert back to normal. However, in some cases, often years later, the abnormal cells turn cancerous.

If you have just slight abnormal changes (mild dyskaryosis or CIN1), you may simply be offered another test much sooner than normal - after a few months or so. In many cases, slightly abnormal cells revert back to normal within a few months. Treatment may be offered if the abnormality persists. For women with moderate or severe abnormal changes, treatment can clear the cervix of the abnormal cells before they develop into cancer.

See separate leaflet called 'Cervical Screening Test' for more details. But the 'take-home message' is.... you are very unlikely to develop cervical cancer, IF...you have regular cervical screening tests at the times advised by your doctor, AND ...you have treatment when advised if abnormal cells are detected.