Patient Information
Home > Patient Information > Women's Health > Cervical Screenings

Cervical Screenings

Cervical cancer is highly treatable if detected early. Regular cervical screenings every three years is recommended for women aged 25 to 69 years, if they have ever been sexually active.
Our nurses will send out reminders when you are due for your next screening. Screening and immunisation are the most effective protection against cervical cancer.

Cashmere Health offer a safe environment for cervical screenings, this can be completed with a self test, or with a nurse or doctor. We can also provide details for Maori and Pacific health providers, please call and ask to speak with one of our nurses if you have any questions or concerns.
We highly recommended having regular screenings and we focus on making this experience as comfortable as possible.

You should have regular cervical screens if you:

  • are a woman or trans or non-binary person with a cervix are aged 25 to 69 years
  • have ever been sexually active (even if this was once)

This also includes if you:

  • are immunised against HPV
  • are single
  • only have sex with women
  • have a disability
  • have been through menopause
  • are no longer having sex.
  • If you have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) check with your nurse or doctor if you still need to be screened.

Funded screens are available for Maori, Pacific and Asian women, if you are overdue for a screen for 5 years or for your first screen. You will always be notified about your results, usually via a text message even if this is negative. These can take up to a week to come in.

HPV Vaccination

Immunisation is now available to protect women against two common types of HPV (types 16 and 18) that cause around 70 percent of cervical cancer. This is funded and available from the age of 11 until 27 years. Please discuss the scheduling and doses with one of our nurses. The ideal time to have this vaccination is prior to any sexual contact. The vaccine does not protect against all HPV types; therefore, women who have been immunised must still continue to have cervical screenings.

For more information, click here.