The 5 yearly cervical screening test for women aged 25 to 74 has now replaced the previous 2 yearly pap smear test in Australia. The new test is performed the same way as a pap smear- the doctor or nurse inserts a speculum into the vagina and takes a sample of cells from the cervix with a plastic brush, which are then sent to a laboratory for analysis. However, the new cervical screening test checks the cervix for HPV (human papilloma virus), whereas the earlier one used to simply examine a woman’s cervical cells. HPV is by far the most common cause of cervical cancer. If HPV is detected by a cervical screening test, women will receive appropriate follow up to make sure they don’t get cervical cancer- this might involve a repeat cervical screening test or a gynaecology assessment and further investigation with a colposcopy.
The 5 yearly cervical screening test- what you need to know
The new 5 yearly cervical screening test- the key facts The new 5 yearly cervical screening test for Australian women aged 25 to 74 arrived in recent years, replacing the previous 2 yearly pap smear test. But what does this mean for you? What if you’re under 25? And is this new [...]