Preventing Cancer Through Cervical Screening

Preventing Cancer Through Cervical Screening

The Canterbury District Health Board is encouraging women to check their regular cervical smear is up to date. September is Cervical Screening Awareness Month. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable of all cancers and having a regular cervical smear test every three years can reduce your chances of developing the disease by around 90 percent.

One of the main causes of cervical cancer is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a common, sexually transmitted infection. A free vaccine which helps protect against this virus is available to all girls aged 12-18 in Canterbury from their General Practice. The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) has developed a website to provide information and complement advice given by General Practices about the cervical cancer vaccine.

It can be found at www.hpvcanterbury.govt.nz Every year in New Zealand 160 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 60 women die from the disease. Cervical cancer starts when some cells on the cervix become abnormal. Canterbury District Health Board Gynaecological Oncologist Bryony Simcock says there is now overwhelming evidence that the main cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with certain high-risk types of Human Papilloma Viruses and that these viruses are transmitted sexually. Most HPV infections resolve spontaneously, but ones that persist can lead to the development of precancerous abnormalities. If untreated, these might progress to cancer. Regular screening for the detection and treatment of precancerous lesions can be very effective for women who participate in a screening programme, she says.

Regular cervical screening is recommended every three years for all women who have ever been sexually active, from the age of 20 until they turn 70. Abnormal cell changes do not cause any symptoms and are picked up only when women have a cervical smear test. Symptoms do not appear until abnormal cells become cancerous

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