National Cervical Screening Program
Cervical Screening prevents cancer of the cervix which is caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV is sexually transmitted and can go away by itself without treatment. Sometimes it may persist and cause abnormal changes to cells of the cervix which may lead to development of cervical cancer after 5-15 years. Cervical Screening is performed Monday to Friday at Victoria Street Medical Group, STI check can be carried out on the same sample if requested. Results may be obtained by making an appointment with your doctor and this will give you the opportunity to discuss any treatments necessary and ask any questions to clarify queries.
All cervical screening participants now have the choice to self-collect their own Cervical Screening Test sample. The self-collected sample is taken from the vagina and is checked for human papillomavirus (HPV) – a common infection that causes almost all cervical cancers. Click for details on cervical sample self-collect
More information can be obtained by going to the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program
The National cervical screening policy recommends that people with a cervix:
- have an HPV test with partial genotyping every 5 years
- start cervical screening at age 25
- have an exit test between 70 and 74 years of age
- have an HPV test at any age if they have symptoms of cervical cancer, even if they screen regularly.
Important things to remember
For patients, the process and procedure for having a pap test is the same.
Just book an appointment for cervical screening at Victoria Street Medical Group from Monday to Friday. Remember to discuss any symptoms you may be experiencing with your doctor and request a sexual health check (for chlamydia and gonorrhoea) if required and this can be performed on the same sample.
