Cervical Screening Awareness month:
Cervical cancer is one of the easiest cancers to prevent – as long as we detect the cell changes that cause it, early.
We are fortunate in New Zealand to have one of the best cervical screening programmes in the world. Since the national screening programme started, the number of women who die of cervical cancer has dropped by nearly two thirds. But the programme only works if all women between 20 and 69 who have ever been sexually active have regular smear tests.
What is a smear testing for?
A cervical smear is a test which is performed to detect abnormal cells in the cervix. If abnormal cells are left untreated, they can cause cervical cancer. Almost all cell abnormalities which lead to cervical cancer are caused by the HPV virus. This is spread through sexual activity.Eighty percent of sexually active people will have the HPV virus at some point in their lives. This why is it important to get tested regularly.
Did you know that......
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable of all cancers
Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is very common and can be passed on via sexual contact
the best protection is early detection through regular smears
regular smears means every three years between the ages of 20 and 69 inclusive
smears reduce the risk of developing undiagnosed cervical cancer by 90 percent
Immunisation against HPV is now part of a free childhood immunisations for girls from age 11. All three doses are required to complete protection.
Find out more at https://www.nsu.govt.nz/national-cervical-screening-programme
