Cervical Screening – Change of Start Age

The cervical screening start age has risen from 20 to 25 years.

From November 2019, women will be invited to start routine cervical screening from 25 years of age. This is to reduce over-intervention in young women, and unnecessary testing.

Some important notes are:

• • If you are under 25 and have already started cervical screening, you need to continue.
  • If you have any symptoms that are of concern, please see your doctor and do not wait for routine screening.
  • 99% of cervical cancers are linked to HPV (human papillomavirus), so we will also be checking if you have had the HPV vaccines to reduce your risk.

If you are under 27 years of age, you are eligible for a funded course of the vaccine.
Please see the National Screening website for details:   Timetoscreen.nz/cervical-screening
Or, ring your practice nurse if you have any questions.