PAP SMEAR

A simple check for changing cells on the cervix, regular Pap smears can help in the prevention and early treatment of cervical cancer. New Zealand’s National Cervical Screening Programme recommends a Pap smear every three years for all women between the ages of 20 and 70.

It is a quick and painless procedure - an instrument called a speculum (made of plastic and single use for each patient) is inserted into your vagina to open it and give access to the cervix. A special brush is then used to gather a few cells from inside and around the cervix.  These cells are put into a ThinPrep jar and sent for analysis.

Testing will reveal if any cells are going through any pre-cancerous changes, or if cancer cells are present. Done regularly, this procedure means pre-cancerous cells can be treated before they develop into cancer.  Cancers that have developed can be treated in the early stages, with much better long-term outcome or, in many cases, cure.