The new Cervical Screening Test has replaced the pap test from December 1st, 2017.
The new cervical screening test detects the presence of the HPV virus.
The two yearly Pap test for people aged 18 to 69 will change to a five yearly human papillomavirus (HPV) test for people aged 25 to 74.
Your first Cervical Screening Test is due two years after your last Pap test. After that, you will only need to have the test every five years if your results are normal.
The changes include:
- the Pap test will be replaced with the more accurate Cervical Screening Test
- the time between tests will change from two to five years
- the age at which screening starts will increase from 18 years to 25 years
- people aged 70 to 74 years will be invited to have an exit test.
If it’s been 2 years since your last pap test, or you have had changes and are due for your next test, please book your appointment with your GP who can explain and perform the new cervical screening test for you.
Please remember that the Cervical Screening test is a “screening test” for people with no symptoms. If you are experiencing abnormal bleeding or other gynaecological symptoms, please advice your GP as additional tests may need to be performed.
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