How to book a smear test and the importance of going to your appointment 

Eveything you need to know about booking in your next smear test and the best time to do it

It is important to understand what a smear test or cervical screening is and what exactly it aims to do. Picture: iStock

Both booking and going in for your smear test can be daunting but following the recent death of Vicky Phelan, there is no doubt that it will be front of mind for many people.

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer but rather a test to see if you are at risk of developing cancer. Detecting abnormal cells early means you can be monitored or treated to help ensure that those abnormal cells do not turn into cervical cancer and so, going for your smear test is extremely important.