Dr Bryan Betty: Cervical Smears

Why is cervical screening important? 

- In NZ approx. 180 to 190 women get cervical cancer every year. 

- Up to 80% have not been screening. 

- Cervical screening picks up changes early preventing cancer. 

 

What is the cervix? 

- Organ connects the uterus to the vagina. 

- Why it’s important: 

- Keeps baby inside the uterus while growing during pregnancy. 

- The canal through which baby passes at birth. 

- Canal sperm can travel up to fertilize eggs to get pregnant. 

 

What does a cervical smear do? 

- The smear scrapes some cells from the cervix. 

- The cells are looked at under a microscope for any abnormal cells, ones that could cause cancer, so they can be treated. 

- It’s traditionally every 3 years. 

- The Problem – it’s invasive to do and can be painful and off putting. 

 

What has changed? 

- A new screening test has been introduced, which can be done by a simple easy vaginal swab once every 5 years. 

- Most changes that lead to cancer in cervix are caused by the HPV virus. 

- The swab looks for the HPV strains that lead to cancer and do something about it. 

- Swab is much easier. It’s not painful and is only once every five years from age 25. 

- Easily accessed through your General Practice or clinic. 

  

One other important thing. 

- There is now HPV vaccine to prevent HPV infection. 

- Free for all adolescents and girls between 9 and 26. 

- This stops you from contracting HPV, thus preventing the cancer altogether. - Talk to your GP or Nurse. 

 

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