Cervical Screening

What You Need to Know

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers there is, but only if screening happens on schedule. Here’s what that actually looks like.

Who needs to be screened

If you’re aged 25 to 74 and it’s been two or more years since your last test, you’re due for a cervical screening test. This applies whether or not you’ve had the HPV vaccine and whether or not you have symptoms.

What changed from the old pap smear

The cervical screening test replaced the pap smear a few years ago. Instead of checking for abnormal cells first, it checks for the HPV infections responsible for almost all cervical cancers. Because it catches the cause earlier, it only needs to be done every five years for most people, compared to every two years under the old system, unless your result says otherwise.

Why it matters even without symptoms

Early cervical cell changes rarely cause any noticeable symptoms. That’s exactly why screening is done on a schedule rather than waiting for something to feel wrong. By the time symptoms appear, it’s often further along than it needed to be.

What to expect

The test itself takes only a few minutes and is done during a routine visit. If you’ve had a difficult experience in the past or feel anxious about it, it’s worth mentioning to your GP beforehand. There are options to make the process more comfortable.

What to do next

If you’re not sure when you’re due, or you’ve never been screened, book a time to check. It’s a short appointment that can catch problems years before they’d otherwise be found.

Book an appointment: 07 5453 4404