HPV testing is now the primary cervical screening test in Aotearoa New Zealand.
HPV testing is a better first screening test. It looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.
Free screening is now available for:
- women and people with a cervix 30 years and over who are unscreened (have never had a screening test) or under-screened (haven’t had a test in the past 5 years)
- anyone requiring follow up
- Māori and Pacific
- anyone who is a community service card holder.
Read more about cervical screening:
- Cervical screening (whakamātautau waha kōpū) is a test that looks for abnormal changes to the cells of the lower end of your uterus (cervix).
- Since 12 September 2023 the test has changed from a cervical smear test to human papilloma virus (HPV) screening of cells collected with a vaginal swab.
- A cervical smear test is still available if preferred.
- It's an important test for anyone with a cervix who is aged between 25 and 69 years and has ever had any sexual contact.
- Treatment can be given before the abnormal cells develop into cancer.
References
1. Cervical screening options Time to screen, NZ