A Pap smear, which was to look for signs of precancer on your cervix (entrance to the uterus) has been replaced by an HPV test, as HPV is the cause of precancer on the cervix, in women who are having regular screening. Women who are being followed up for previously abnormalities or who have abnormal bleeding will have a smear (cytology) in addition to an HPV test. If an HPV test only is required then a self swab can be done with your GP. If a smear/cytology is required then a nurse or doctor will put an instrument called a speculum into the vagina to open it, and then gently wipe or brush a few cells from the cervix to send to the laboratory for testing. If the HPV test is positive, the smear/cytology test will be required to seen if cervical cells are going through any changes that happen before cancer grows. It will also show if cancer cells are present.

 

Regular cervical screening make it possible to prevent cancer before it grows, or to pick up the cancer early so that it is more easily cured. A National Cervical Screening Programme aims to provide all New Zealand women with regular cervical screening and now recommends that an HPV test be done every 5 years between the ages of 25 and 70 year, starting from the time your smear was due according to the cervical screening program that was in place until September 2023. 

 

If an HPV test is positive you will be advised to have either a cytology sample taken if you have not had one, or a colposcopy examination depending on the type of HPV present and your age.