Cervical Smear Test

The cervical smear test

What is the The cervical smear test?
Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina.
It's not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer.

You will be asked to lie on your side or your back with your knees bent up. The lower part of your body will be covered with a sheet. The smear taker gently opens the vagina with a speculum and carefully takes a sample of cells from the surface of the cervix with a small broom or tiny brush. This process will take only a few minutes. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to be examined.

Some women may find the test uncomfortable, but it does not usually hurt. If you are embarrassed or nervous, tell your smear taker how you feel. You can take a support person with you if you wish. It is best not to have the test during your period.

Cervical screening, like all screening, is not 100% effective and some women will still develop cervical cancer despite regular screening. While the risk of cervical cancer can be reduced, it cannot be eliminated by screening. Other tests, eg, testing for HPV (human papillomavirus) may be used to help decide when treatment is necessary.

Who should have cervical smear tests?
All women aged 20 until they turn 70 who have ever been sexually active should have regular smear tests.

Women who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) need to check with their doctor or smear taker whether they still need to have cervical smear tests.

Where do you go for a cervical smear test?

The choices include:

your doctor or practice nurse
Family Planning clinics
your sexual health service
marae-based or other Māori health centres
community health centres, eg, Pacific health centres and women’s health centres.
Most of the above services have women smear takers.

The cost of a cervical smear test will be what you would normally pay to see your doctor or nurse. Some community or primary health organisations offer a free or low-cost service.

How often do women need a cervical smear test?
Women are advised to have a cervical smear test every three years. Research shows very little extra benefit from having more frequent smears.
Cervical cancer usually takes many years to develop. Any abnormal cells can be found and treated to stop them from becoming cancer.
If this is your first cervical smear test, or if you have not had a test for over five years, you will be advised to have a second test in a year’s time.
In some circumstances, you may be advised to have a test more often, eg, after an abnormal result.

Getting your cervical smear test results
Your smear taker will discuss with you how you will receive your results. Results are usually available in 2-4 weeks. The programme will only contact you if you have had an abnormal result. You will be informed by mail and also advised about any follow-up needed.

Cervical smear test results
Most test results are normal.

Some women may be asked to come back for another test if there were not enough cells in the sample to test.

If you have an abnormal result, you may be called back for a further smear in 6-12 months, or referred to a specialist (colposcopist) for colposcopy. This assessment may show there are no abnormal cells and treatment is not needed. An abnormal result hardly ever means cancer.