Women's Health Screening

Cervical screening

Free cervical screening delivered by our practice nurses is available to all women in the Bailiwick of Guernsey aged 25 to 65. From July 2025 the program is now safely offered to everyone with a cervix every 5 years in line with major clinical evidence and follows the UK National Screening Committee's recommendation.

The cervical screening test is highly effective at detecting the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the cervix and finding very early changes that, if identified at these early stages, can be treated before they become a cervical cancer.Those who test negative for HPV at their cervical screening will be at very low risk of cervical cancer over the next 10 years.

Encouraging new research has shown that children vaccinated against HPV have close to zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before the age of 30. If you are under 25 and missed your HPV vaccination at school you are still eligible to receive it. Please contact the surgery for more information on how to access this.

Patients will automatically receive a letter inviting them for cervical screening when they turn 25. After that, they will be invited for further cervical screening appointments, in line with the Bailiwick Cervical Screening Programme, every 5 years until the age of 65. If you’re not sure when your next screening is due, or think you may have missed an invitation, please get in touch.

We know that for some people having the smear test can be daunting, but rest assured our friendly nurses will do everything we can to make the experience as quick and easy as possible and for most people the test takes just a couple of minutes and involves minimal discomfort.

If you are anxious or have had previous issues with your cervical screening, then please do come in and chat with one of our Women's health doctors or nurses as there are many ways we can make this more comfortable.

Additional resources:

• The Eve Appeal - A great source of information about cervical screening, including what to expect and helpful tips to make your appointment more comfortable

• The States of Guernsey - Information about the local screening programme, including the Guernsey cervical screening leaflet, available in a range of languages

• NHS Cervical Screening - Clear information about why cervical screening is important, how it is carried out and what your results mean.

  
  

Breast screening

Breast screening can detect abnormalities in the breast tissue that are too small for you or your doctor to see or feel. It uses test called a mammogram which is an x-ray examination of the breast that takes only a few minutes and involves a very low dose of radiation. Breast screening is offered to all women aged 50-75 who are invited every 2 years free of charge and you should be called up automatically by the Breast Unit to be offered this service.

If you are worried about breast cancer symptoms, such as a lump or area of change in the breast, don't wait to be offered screening - see your GP straightaway.

Additional resources:

• The States of Guernsey - Information about the local screening programme, including the Guernsey cervical screening leaflet, available in a range of languages

• NHS Breast Screening- Clear information about why mammograms are important, how they are carried out and what your results mean