As of May 1, 2017, a new screening test, the Cervical Screening Test, will be implemented in Australia and be available on the Medicare Benefits Schedule. The procedure will be the same as a Pap smear; however, screening will now involve testing the cervical sample for a HPV infection, rather than abnormal cells. This test will increase early detection of cervical cancer and help to save lives.
Cervical cancer is the growth of abnormal cells on the lining of the cervix, the lowest part of the uterus.
Infection with cancer causing types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) over a period of many years is the most common cause of cervical cancer. Often the infection will be present for more than 10 years before the cancer develops. 99.7% of cervical cancers are caused by infection with HPV.
Smoking is also a critical risk factor for the development of cervical cancer.
An estimated 903 females were diagnosed with cervical cancer in Australia in 2016, and approximately 250 women died from the disease.
The HPV vaccine is able to help prevent the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, however, the vaccine does not protect against all cancer causing strains of the virus, so screening is still required.
Early stages of cervical cancer will often show no symptoms, highlighting the importance of screening tests to help identify cervical cancer. Since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program in 1991, the number of Australian women diagnosed with cervical cancer has halved.
Currently, Pap smears are the screening method for identifying abnormal cells of the cervix. All women who have ever been sexually active should have a Pap smear once every two years between 18 and 70 years of age.
Screening will be performed every five years with the new test and the starting age for screening will now be 25 years. After the introduction of the Cervical Screening Test, women who have previously had a Pap smear will be due for screening two years after their last Pap smear.
For more information visit the cancer screening website.