Southern DHB supports the delivery of cervical screening services to all women 25-69 living in our community.

Preventing Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer usually develops very slowly, so it’s easy for us to detect and treat cell changes early. Treatment is as simple as removing the affected tissue, and has a really high success rate. The first signs show up as ‘abnormal’ cells, which can take more than 10 years to develop into cancer. This is why you usually have a cervical screening test every 3 years – this gives us the best chance to find cell changes early.

Risk factors for cervical cancer include

• A persistent HPV infection
• Smoking
• Not being immunised against HPV

The best protection for cervical cancer is being immunised against HPV and having regular cervical screening tests. For more information on HPV visit www.timetoscreen.nz

Where to have a cervical screening

It's completely up to you who takes your cervical screening test. You can choose to go to your regular doctor or choose to go to:

• any doctor or practice nurse
• a midwife
• Family Planning
• your local sexual health service
• marae-based or other Māori health centres
• community health services e.g. Pacific or women’s health centres
• screening support services.

You can request a female health provider from most services. Whoever you choose, all health providers are specially trained to make sure the test is comfortable, and meets your rights as a patient.

The National Screening Unit can help you find someone to take your cervical screening test. Give us a call on freephone 0800 729 729.