Women's health
What Your Abnormal Private Smear Test Result Really Means
An abnormal private smear test result is more common than it sounds, and it rarely means cancer. Here's what your result means and what to expect next.
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Private Smear Test Results Explained: HPV, Cell Changes and What Comes Next
An abnormal private smear test result usually means HPV was found, with or without cell changes, and it's rarely a sign of cancer. Most cases either clear on their own within a year or are picked up early through a routine colposcopy referral. Both are normal and manageable outcomes.
You open the letter, or the notification appears on the NHS App, and one word stands out: 'abnormal'. For a moment, everything else on the page disappears.
Take a deep, slow breath.
An abnormal smear result is far more common than the word makes it sound, and it very rarely means cancer. A private smear test with us checks for the same things as an NHS test. We first test for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and then cell changes, if it’s needed.
Here's what your result means and what happens from here.
How Your Sample Gets Checked After a Private Smear Test
Every cervical screening sample, private or NHS, is tested for high-risk HPV first. This has been standard practice since December 2019. HPV testing catches risk more accurately than the older method of examining cells under a microscope on its own.
If no HPV is found, your result is normal, which is the outcome for most women.
If HPV is found, the same sample is then checked for cell changes. Only then does the word 'abnormal' really apply, and even then it doesn't mean what many people assume it does.
What an ‘Abnormal’ Result Means, and Doesn't Mean
An abnormal result almost always means one of two things:
HPV was found with no cell changes
HPV was found alongside cell changes that need a closer look.
Around 1 in 20 women screened will need this kind of further investigation, so an abnormal result puts you among a very ordinary group, not an alarming one.
HPV itself isn't rare or unusual. Most people carry some type of it at some point in their lives, often without symptoms. The body usually clears it naturally.
Testing positive for HPV doesn't mean you have cancer, and it doesn't mean you will develop it. It means your body needs a bit more monitoring than usual, nothing more.
What Happens Next, Depending on Your Result
Your next steps depend on what your result shows. If HPV is found but there are no cell changes, you'll usually be invited back for another screening in 12 months to see whether your body has cleared the virus on its own.
That's not a delay or an oversight. It's the standard next step, and most people clear HPV well within that window.
If cell changes are found alongside HPV, you'll be referred for a colposcopy, a closer examination of the cervix, conducted by a specialist.
We don't perform colposcopy here at the Women’s Health Clinic. However, we'll make a referral for you and ensure the specialist has your full history. You won’t have to repeat everything at a new appointment with someone who doesn't know you.
Why the Screening Interval Changed in 2025
Since July 2025, women aged 25 to 49 who test negative for HPV are invited for screening every 5 years instead of every 3. That's not a cutback. It reflects genuinely better testing.
Modern HPV screening catches risk more reliably than the older cytology-only method ever did, so a negative result now carries more weight than it used to. Women aged 50 to 64 have been on a 5-year interval for some time already.
If you've been comparing HPV testing options between private and NHS screening, the method and the intervals are exactly the same. What changes with private cervical screening in the UK is speed and continuity.
A private appointment generally means you can book on your timeline instead of waiting for an NHS invitation. It also means the same doctor talks you through your consultation, result, and whatever comes next.
Common Questions About a Private Smear Test
What's the Difference Between HPV and Cervical Cancer?
HPV is a common virus, not a cancer. Most sexually active people carry some type of it at some point, usually without symptoms, and the immune system generally clears it naturally.
Cervical cancer can develop, over many years, from cell changes caused by a small number of high-risk HPV types, but only if those changes go unmonitored and untreated. Screening exists to catch that process long before it ever gets near cancer.
Do I Need a Referral for a Private Smear Test?
No. You don't need a referral from another doctor to book a private smear test with us. You can come whether you're due for your routine screening, want a result sooner than the NHS timeline allows, or simply want the reassurance of being seen without a wait.
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How Much Does a Private Smear Test Cost at the Women’s Health Clinic in London?
A private smear test, including your consultation, the HPV test, and cytology (if needed), costs £226.21 with us. That's the full cost as at August 2026, with nothing added afterwards.
How Long Do Results Usually Take?
Results typically take one to two weeks, since your sample goes to a laboratory for analysis rather than being read on the spot. If you haven't heard from us within that window, get in touch and we'll follow it up for you.
What Do the CIN1, CIN2 and CIN3 Grades Mean?
If a colposcopy finds cell changes, they're graded from CIN1 to CIN3 based on how much of the cervix's surface layer is affected.
CIN1 is mild and often resolves on its own.
CIN2 and CIN3 are more significant and are usually treated to remove the cells. Even CIN3 isn't cancer.
It means those cells have a higher chance of becoming a problem if left alone, which is why they'd be treated at that stage rather than just watched.
An Abnormal Result Isn't the End of the Story
Most abnormal results resolve on their own, and those that don't are treatable when caught early, which is the point of screening. Whatever your result shows, you don't have to make sense of it alone.
Book Your Women’s Health Appointment
Disclaimer: We share these insights to help educate and empower you on your health journey. However, this information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Because your body is unique, we encourage you to book a consultation with us so we can create a personalised plan tailored perfectly to your needs.
