Cervical Screening Programme | Southern

Public Service, Gynaecology

Today

Open today 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Description

Health New Zealand Southern, 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 regular screening is recommend as 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

Cervical Screening Options

From September 2023, HPV screening became the new method for cervical screening 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.

This gives you options for how you have your screening sample taken:

A vaginal swab - you can either self-test, or a health professional can help
A cervical sample (previously known as a smear test) - taken by a health professional.

Choosing the right test for you

Your healthcare provider can help you find out which type of test is better for you.

The vaginal swab is quick and easy to do. But this may not be suitable for everyone. Some people may be recommended to have a cervical cell sample taken (previously known as a smear test) depending on their screening history.

Some people may also prefer to have their sample taken as a cervical sample. A cervical sample also tests for HPV.

If you do a vaginal swab test and HPV is found, you will either be recommended to return to have a cervical sample taken as a follow-up test, or referred directly to colposcopy. This will depend on the type of HPV detected.

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
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
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 Cervical Screening Programme can help you find someone to take your cervical screening test. Give us a call on freephone 0800 729 729.

Ages

Adult / Pakeke

Fees and Charges Description

The cost of your screen depends on the health provider you choose. Some providers might have a low-cost option. You can check what cost options are available to you when you make an appointment with a health provider or call 0800 729 729 to discuss your options.

Hours

Open today 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Mon – Fri	8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Public Holidays: Closed Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun), Labour Day (27 Oct), Waitangi Day (6 Feb), Taranaki Anniversary (9 Mar). Open Otago Anniversary (23 Mar).

Procedures / Treatments

What to expect with your choice of screening

Understanding your results

Service types: Gynaecological cancer.

Service types: Gynaecological cancer.

Colposcopy

If your cervical screen shows an abnormal result, you may need an extra check called a colposcopy. You’ll be sent an appointment time for a colposcopy at the public hospital. This is free. It’s important to go to your appointment even if you don’t have any symptoms. What is a colposcopy? A colposcopy is when a specialist examines your cervix using a special microscope called a colposcope. After they’ve done the colposcopy, the specialist will discuss their findings with you. Sometimes, if they see something that concerns them, they will take a biopsy. This means taking a tiny sample of tissue from your cervix and having it checked it at a laboratory, just to be sure. Colposcopies are a safe and effective check.

If your cervical screen shows an abnormal result, you may need an extra check called a colposcopy. You’ll be sent an appointment time for a colposcopy at the public hospital. This is free.

It’s important to go to your appointment even if you don’t have any symptoms.

What is a colposcopy?

A colposcopy is when a specialist examines your cervix using a special microscope called a colposcope. After they’ve done the colposcopy, the specialist will discuss their findings with you.

Sometimes, if they see something that concerns them, they will take a biopsy. This means taking a tiny sample of tissue from your cervix and having it checked it at a laboratory, just to be sure.

Colposcopies are a safe and effective check.