Cervical Screening Tests should be completed every 5 years. This test is more effective than the Pap test which used to look for cell changes in the cervix, whereas the Cervical Screening Test looks for the HPV which can lead to cell changes in the cervix.
This means the Cervical Screening Test will catch what could eventually turn into cervical cancer one step earlier, and for that reason, you don’t need to have it as frequently as a Pap smear test.
The time between getting an infection and the infection perhaps turning into cervical cancer is very long. Infections with HPV are common in young people, but cervical cancer doesn’t become common until your 30s, 40s or 50s.
Even if you were infected the day after your HPV test, it’s extremely unlikely that it could progress to cancer within five years. It’s very likely your body’s immune system would clear the virus itself in that timeframe, but if it doesn’t, it will be picked up at your next screening test.
Aggressive, fast-growing cancers are very rare and usually diagnosed when you see a doctor after noticing symptoms. All screening programs are designed for people without symptoms.
We recommend that anyone with a cervix, of any age, who has symptoms (including pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge) should see their doctor immediately.
ClaireI can't stress enough how important it is that women go for their tests regularly. If I hadn't, I may not even have survived to tell my story. It's just a few minutes of embarrassment for something that could save your life."