Cervical screening (previously known as a smear test) frequently appears in OSCEs and you’ll be expected to demonstrate

excellent communication and practical skills. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to performing cervical screening
in an OSCE setting, with an included video demonstration.

Gather equipment
Gather the appropriate equipment: Gloves, Lubricant, Speculum, A light source for the speculum, Endocervical brush,
Sample pot (liquid-based cytology), Paper towels

Introduction
Wash your hands and don PPE if appropriate.
Introduce yourself to the patient including your name and role.
Confirm the patient’s name and date of birth.
Explain what the procedure will involve using patient-friendly language: “Today I need to perform a cervical screening test.
The procedure will involve me inserting a small plastic device called a speculum into the vagina. This will allow me to
visualise the neck of the womb. I will then place a very small brush into the vagina and take a sample of cells from the neck
of the womb. It shouldn’t be painful, but it will feel a little uncomfortable. You can ask me to stop at any point. You may
experience some light vaginal bleeding after the procedure.”
Explain the need for a chaperone: “One of the female ward staff members will be present throughout the examination,
acting as a chaperone, would that be ok?”
Gain consent to proceed with the examination: “Do you understand everything I’ve said? Do you have any questions? Are
you happy for me to carry out the procedure?”
Ask the patient if they have any pain or if they think they may be pregnant before proceeding with the clinical examination.
Provide the patient with the opportunity to pass urine before the examination.
Explain to the patient that they’ll need to remove their underwear and lie on the clinical examination couch, covering
themselves with the sheet provided. Provide the patient with privacy to undress and check it is ok to re-enter the room
before doing so.

Inspection
Position
1. Don a pair of non-sterile gloves.
2. Position the patient in the modified lithotomy position: “Bring your heels towards your bottom and then let your knees
fall to the sides.”

Inspect the vulva

1. Inspect the vulva for abnormalities:
Ulcers: typically associated with genital herpes.
Abnormal vaginal discharge: causes include candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Scarring: may relate to previous surgery (e.g. episiotomy) or lichen sclerosus (destructive scarring with associated
adhesions).
Vaginal atrophy: most commonly occurs in postmenopausal women.
White lesions: may be patchy or in a figure of eight distribution around the vulva and anus, associated with lichen
sclerosus.
Masses: causes include Bartholin’s cyst and vulval malignancy.
Varicosities: varicose veins secondary to chronic venous disease or obstruction in the pelvis (e.g. pelvic malignancy).
Female genital mutilation: total or partial removal of the clitoris and/or labia and/or narrowing of the vaginal introitus.
2. Inspect for evidence of vaginal prolapse (a bulge visible protruding from the vagina). Asking the patient to cough as
you inspect can exacerbate the lump and help confirm the presence of prolapse.

Female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is defined by the WHO as all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the
external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.7 Over 140 million girls and
women worldwide have undergone FGM.8 Women attending maternity, family planning, gynaecology, and urology clinics
(among others) should be asked routinely about the practice of FGM.9 Cases of FGM in girls under the age of 18 should be
reported to the police.10

Bartholin’s cyst
Bartholin’s glands are responsible for producing secretions which maintain vaginal moisture and are typically located at 4
and 8 o’clock in relation to the vaginal introitus. These glands can become blocked and/or infected, resulting in cyst
formation. Typical findings on clinical examination include a unilateral, fluctuant mass, which may or may not be tender.

Lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory dermatological condition that can affect the anogenital region in women. It
presents with pruritis and clinical examination typically reveals white thickened patches. Destructive scarring and adhesions
develop causing distortion of the normal vaginal architecture (shrinking of the labia, narrowing of the introitus, obscuration
of the clitoris).

Abnormal vaginal discharge

There are several causes of abnormal vaginal discharge including:
Bacterial vaginosis: a thin, profuse fishy-smelling discharge without pruritis or inflammation.
Candidiasis: a curd-like, non-offensive discharge with associated pruritis and inflammation.
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea (symptomatic): a purulent vaginal discharge with or without associated inflammation.
Trichomoniasis: an offensive yellow, frothy vaginal discharge with associated pruritis and inflammation.
Inserting the speculum
Warn the patient you are going to insert the speculum and ask if they’re still ok for you to do so.
If the patient consents to the continuation of the procedure, lubricate the speculum and carry out the following steps:
1. Use your left hand (index finger and thumb) to separate the labia.
2. Gently insert the speculum sideways (blades closed, angled downwards).
3. Once inserted, rotate the speculum back 90° so that the handle is facing upwards.
4. Open the speculum blades until an optimal view of the cervix is achieved.
5. Tighten the locking nut to fix the position of the blades.

Visualising the cervix

Inspect the cervix:
Identify the cervical os: if open, this may indicate an inevitable or incomplete miscarriage.
Inspect for erosions around the os: most commonly associated with ectropion however early cervical cancer can have
similar appearances.
Cervical masses: typically associated with cervical malignancy.
Ulceration: most commonly associated with genital herpes.
Abnormal discharge: several possible causes including bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, trichomonas, chlamydia and
gonorrhoea.

Cervical ectropion
Cervical ectropion is a condition in which the columnar epithelial cells which are normally located inside the cervical canal
are present on the outside of the vaginal cervix (normally the only cells on the outside of the vaginal cervix are squamous
epithelial cells). The areas of columnar epithelial cells appear red against the normal pink colour of the cervix and are often
located around the external os. They are more prone to bleeding, due to the presence of a network of delicate fine blood
vessels, and as a result, patients often present with post-coital bleeding.

Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Prior to the development of cervical
cancer, the cells of the cervix can become dysplastic, a condition that is known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).
Cervical screening can identify patients infected with HPV who have CIN, allowing early treatment to prevent progression
to invasive cervical cancer. Many women do not have symptoms in the early stages of cervical cancer, but symptoms can
include vaginal bleeding (intermenstrual, post-coital), increased vaginal discharge and vaginal discomfort. Clinical
examination typically reveals white or red patches on the cervix in early disease or the presence of a cervical ulcer or
tumour in more advanced disease.

Cervical screening sample

1. Insert the endocervical brush through speculum into the endocervical canal, avoiding touching the sides of the speculum
with the brush.
2. Rotate the brush 5 times, 360 degrees, in a clockwise direction.
3. Remove the endocervical brush, avoiding touching the speculum as you do so.
4. Deposit the tip of the endocervical brush into a liquid-based cytology container.

Removing the speculum

1. Loosen the locking nut on the speculum and partially close the blades.
2. Rotate the speculum 90°, back to its original insertion orientation.
3. Gently remove the speculum, inspecting the walls of the vagina as you do so.
4. Cover the patient with the sheet, explain that the examination is now complete and provide the patient with privacy so
they can get dressed. Provide paper towels for the patient to clean themselves.
5. Dispose of the used equipment into a clinical waste bin.

To complete the procedure…

Thank the patient for their time.
Label the sample.
Dispose of PPE appropriately and wash your hands.
Document the procedure in the medical notes including the details of the chaperone.
Summarise your findings.

Example summary
“Today I examined Mrs Smith, a 28-year-old female. On general inspection, the patient appeared comfortable at rest. There
were no objects or medical equipment around the bed of relevance.“
“There were no abnormalities noted on inspection of the vulva and speculum examination revealed a healthy cervix with a
closed external os. I was able to obtain an adequate sample for cervical screening.”
“In summary, these findings are consistent with a normal speculum examination.”
“For completeness, I would like to perform the following further assessments and investigations.”

Further assessments and investigations

Urinalysis: including β-HCG to rule out pregnancy (e.g. ectopic pregnancy).
Vaginal swabs/endocervical swabs: if there are concerns about infection (bacterial/viral).
Bimanual vaginal examination: to assess the uterus and adnexa for masses.
Complete abdominal examination: if there are concerns about intraabdominal pathology (e.g. appendicitis).
Ultrasound abdomen and pelvis: to further investigate pelvic pathology.
HPV testing: can be performed on the same cervical screening sample if using liquid-based cytology (no extra swabs
required).