Who and when
In Australia, cervical screening is recommended for people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 who have ever been sexually active. Your first test is due at age 25 (or two years after your last Pap smear if you were screened under the old program). After that, if your results are normal, you only need screening every five years.
You'll usually get a reminder from the National Cancer Screening Register when you're due, but it's worth keeping track yourself too.
Do you need one if you're not sexually active?
Because HPV is spread through sexual contact, screening starts at 25 for those who have ever been sexually active. If you have never had any sexual contact at all, your risk is very low and you may not need screening — but 'sexually active' includes more than penetrative sex, so it's worth discussing your situation with a GP rather than assuming.
If you've had the HPV vaccine, you still need screening — the vaccine protects against most but not all high-risk types.
Don't wait for symptoms
Cervical screening is about prevention — it looks for risk before any cancer develops, which is why you shouldn't wait until you have symptoms. That said, see a GP promptly (regardless of when your screening is due) if you have unusual bleeding, bleeding after sex, unusual discharge, or pelvic pain.
If you're overdue, unsure when you're due, or would prefer self-collection, a telehealth consult can check your screening history and arrange your test.
References & sources
- 1.Cervical screening test — healthdirect
- 2.Human papillomavirus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine — healthdirect
- 3.Cervical cancer — healthdirect
This content is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice. Please consult a GP for your personal situation.
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