Cervical screening
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Cervical cancer is the one of the most preventable types of cancer.
Cervical screening tests for cancer-causing strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Regular cervical screening — every 5 years — is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. Some people need to be screened every 3 years. It’s a good idea to ask your nurse or doctor how often you need to be screened.
You need regular cervical screening if you have ever had sex and you are both:
- A person with a cervix
- 25-69 years old
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How does cervical screening work?
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There are two ways to take a sample for cervical screening:
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Vaginal swab
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Using a vaginal swab is fast, easy, and you can do it yourself. One of our nurses or doctors can teach you to how to use a vaginal swab. You can swab your vagina yourself — behind a privacy curtain or in the clinic bathroom. A nurse or doctor can take your swab if that’s easier. It’s up to you.
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Cervical sample
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A cervical sample is collected by your nurse or doctor. Sometimes, your nurse or doctor will recommend a cervical sample. To collect a cervical sample: a nurse or doctor will put a speculum into your vagina, before taking a sample from your cervix.
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What if you have HPV?
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Testing positive for HPV doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer — but it does mean you’ll need to get tested for cell changes on your cervix. One out of every 10 people screened have HPV. Your body will usually clear the HPV itself — but some strains are harder to clear.
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How do you get cervical screening?
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You can get cervical screening from us, or you can go to your usual screening provider.
Learn more at Time to screen Check out Smear Your Mea on Facebook
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What does cervical screening cost?
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Cervical screening isn’t fully funded in Aotearoa. Te Whatu Ora funds free cervical screening for:
- People with a cervix 30 years and over who are unscreened — have never had a screening test. This includes people with a cervix aged 70 to 74 years who have never been screened.
- People with a cervix 30 years and over who are under-screened — haven’t had a test in the past five years
- Anyone requiring a follow up
- Māori and Pacific people with a cervix aged 25 to 69 years
- Anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 69 years who has their own Community Services Card
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How do you know when to get a cervical screen?
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You can contact the National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) Register to:
- Find out if you are due or overdue for screening
- Change your contact details
- Ask any other questions about cervical screening
You can contact the NCSP by:
- Calling: 0800 729 729
- Emailing: [email protected]
It's a good idea to talk to a nurse or doctor about getting a cervical screen if you have any symptoms that worry you — such as:
- Unusual bleeding between periods or after having sex
- Lower tummy pain or pain during sex
- Unusual discharge
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How has cervical screening changed in Aotearoa?
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Cervical screening is simpler and easier than it used to be.
Cervical screening tests for cancer-causing strains of HPV. Most people get screened every five years. Many people collect their own samples for screening.
In the past, cervical screening tested for cell changes in the cervix. This test was called a smear test. A smear test is done by a nurse or doctor. To do a smear test, a nurse or doctor puts a speculum into your vagina and takes a cell sample from your cervix. Smear tests have to be done once every three years.
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How we can help you
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We are cervical screening experts. We can:
- Help you work out what type of cervical screening is best for you
- Teach you how to do your cervical screening with a vaginal swab
- Do your cervical screening for you
Anyone can visit our clinics. If you want to talk with us, we want to talk to you.
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