Cervical screening

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable of all cancers.

The National Cervical Screening Program – a joint Australian, State and Territory Government initiative – aims to prevent cervical cancer by detecting, monitoring or treating changes in the cervix before they progress to cancer.

Cervical cancer can be detected by having a Cervical Screening Test (CST). The CST looks for the human papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause cell changes in the cervix.

HPV is a common virus that can cause changes to the cells in your cervix, that may develop into cervical cancer if left untreated.

Women aged between 25 and 74 years who have ever been sexually active should have a CST every five years, including women who have had the HPV vaccine.