September is Cervical Screening Awareness Month
All women between 25 and 69 who have ever been sexually active should have regular three-yearly cervical smear tests. This detects early changes so that treatment can be offered before these changes progress to cervical cancer. You can access cervical screening from your GP, or your local Family Planning clinic.
If you have had an abnormal result, you may need an additional test called colposcopy to check that everything is OK. At colposcopy, a specialist examines the cells in your cervix using a microscope called a colposcope. You may also need to have a biopsy.
From July 2023, the primary test for cervical screening will change to the human papillomavirus (HPV) test, with the option of self-testing.
For more information, visit www.timetoscreen.nz/cervical-screening or www.centralgynaecology.co.nz/treatments-gynaecological-procedures/colposcopy/
