So, you’ve gone and had your smear taken? Now it’s time to find out your results.

Getting your results

Getting your results normally takes 2 weeks.

The results will be sent out to your smear taker at first. They’ll let you know if there’s anything unusual in your results.

We know it can be an anxious time waiting, or not knowing for sure – so feel free to ask the person who took your smear to let you know when they get your results.

Understanding your results

Remember, 90% of smear results come back all clear – and even when they don’t, it doesn’t necessarily mean cancer. It might mean there’s something to re-check – or something we can take care of before it goes any further.

But most people will get the all clear.

Go to Understanding your results to find out more about what your results mean.

Worried about anything? You won’t be the first! Just ask the person who takes your smear

If you’re sent for more testing

If you’ve had an abnormal result, you may need an extra test called a colposcopy to check that everything’s OK. If the colposcopy finds anything unusual, you may also have a biopsy.

Go to Having a colposcopy and Your biopsy results to find out more.

If you do have abnormal results, remember you now have a chance to deal with cell changes before they become cancer. Go to Having treatment to find out more.

Women who have had treatment for abnormal cells are unlikely to develop cervical cancer in the future