You should also have regular cervical smear tests so that any pre-cancerous changes can be identified and treated early.

If you are between the ages of 20 and 64 you can have a free smear test every 3-5 years. It takes only a few minutes and can be done at your GP's surgery. Make sure your GP has your current address, so that you receive your invitation letter.

Since the NHS cervical screening programme was introduced in 1988, invasive cervical cancer has become a much rarer disease in this country.

The smear test will not, however, identify all instances of CIN (pre-cancerous changes), nor can it always stop the development of invasive cancer.

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