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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