National Cervical Screening Program

The renewed National Cervical Screening Program

The Renewal of the National Cervical Screening Program has been implemented.
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. People will be due for the first Cervical Screening Test two years after their last Pap test. 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.

More information on the National Cervical Screening Program is available on our Women’s Health page

What is the Cervical Screening Test?

The Cervical Screening Test is a simple procedure to check the health of your cervix. If you have ever had a Pap test before, the way the test is done will feel the same.

The Cervical Screening Test replaces the two-yearly Pap test for people. If you’re aged 25 to 74 you should have your first Cervical Screening Test two years after your last Pap test.

The Cervical Screening Test is more accurate at detecting human papillomavirus (known as HPV). The Pap test used to look for cell changes in the cervix, whereas the new Cervical Screening Test looks for HPV which can lead to cell changes in the cervix (see diagram of the cervix below).

HPV is a common virus that can cause changes to cells in your cervix, which in rare cases can develop into cervical cancer.

Book an Appointment to discuss CST

*Note that Practice nurse in DRMC is a Pap nurse provider