National Cervical Screening Programme

September is Cervical Screening Awareness Month. 

Have a smear test every 3 years.  It could save your life!

The National Cervical Screening Programme is available to all women in New Zealand between 20 and 70 years old.  The screening test checks for abnormal cell changes to the cervix, reducing the risk of women developing cervical cancer.

Did you know that ...

• Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable of all cancers.
• Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus passed on by sexual contact.
• Most people will come into contact with HPV at some stage during their life.  Most HPV infections clear by themselves, but some high-risk types can cause cell changes on the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer 10 to 20 years after infection.  Other types can cause genital warts, but these strains do not lead to cancer.
• A woman's best protection against developing cervical cancer is having regular cervical smear tests.  a cervical smear test is a screening test to find abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix.
• Immunisation is now available to protect women against two common types of HPV (types 16 & 18) that cause around 70% of cervical cancer.
• The vaccine does not protect against all HPV types, therefore, women who have been immunised must still continue to have smear tests.
• Having regular cervical smears can reduce a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer by 90 percent.

Taupo Health Centre have two nurses who are trained to complete cervical smear tests.  You can either make an appointment to see one of the nurses or just call in when convenient.  There may be a short wait but in most instances one of the nurses will be able to complete the test for you.