There are now more choices for cervical screening - including the new HPV self-test!
Why get screened?
If you’re between 25 and 69 years old, have a cervix (including trans or non-binary people), and you have ever been sexually active, you need to get screened.
Why? Having regular cervical screening can help keep your cervix healthy, as it can detect abnormal cell changes early on before anything more serious develops.
Your cervix is pretty amazing and is worth looking after now and into the future.
Why have regular smear tests?
Almost all cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus is very common and is spread by intimate skin-to-skin contact or any sexual activity. Most adults will have HPV at some time in their lives. But with regular cervical screening any changes on the cervix can be detected and treated before they become cancers.
Smear tests save lives.
Early treatment is highly successful.
Since the national screening programme started, the number of women who die of cervical cancer has dropped by nearly two thirds. And if every woman you know got tested regularly, the number could drop even lower.
Who should have smear tests?
You are encouraged to participate in the NCSP if you are a wāhine/woman or anyone with a cervix, aged 25 to 69, including anyone who:
has ever had intimate skin-to-skin contact or any sexual activity (even if they haven’t been
sexually active for a long time)
• has only had non-penetrative sex (i.e., oral sex)
• is straight, gay or bisexual
• is transgender, non-binary or intersex, and has a cervix
• has only been with one sexual partner
• has had the HPV vaccination or not
• is pregnant or has had a baby
• has been through menopause
• has a disability.
If you have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) check with your health provider if you still need to be screened.