Sexual Safety - Taking care of yourself
Cervical Smears
Why should I have a cervical smear?
When you turn 20, your Family Planning nurse or a doctor will suggest that it is a good time to start having regular cervical smears. These are tests which are done every three years and can detect cell changes in a woman’s cervix. If these cell changes are not found and treated, they can develop into cervical cancer.
How is a cervical smear done?
A smear test needs to be done when you don’t have your period. The nurse will ask you to take off your clothes from the waist down and to lie on a bed in the examination room. You will be given a blanket to cover yourself. You may be asked to lie on your back or on your side. The nurse will put a speculum inside your vagina. This is a plastic device which allows the nurse to gently spread the walls of the vagina. They will then insert a swab and take a few cells from your cervix. The swab is then put in a special tube and sent to a laboratory for testing. The results will take three weeks to a month and will be sent back to the place where you had your smear test done. The nurse will ask if you want to be contacted with the results or only if there is a result that needs to be followed up.
There are many reasons why women put off having a smear test – here are some reasons and responses.
“But I don’t have any symptoms”
Cervical cancer usually develops very slowly. It can take ten years or more to develop. If women have regular smear tests (every three years is best) there is a high chance that any abnormal cells will be found. They can be treated long before they develop into cancer.
“It might hurt”
Some women may find the test uncomfortable, but it should not hurt. If you are embarrassed or nervous, tell the smear taker how you feel. You can take a support person with you if you would like.
“It makes me feel uncomfortable and embarrassed”
Many women feel uncomfortable or embarrassed at the thought of having a smear. Tell the smear taker if you’re embarrassed or if it is your first smear. They will give you very specific instructions about what to do. Most smear takers do hundreds of smear tests each year – they’re very used to helping women overcome any embarrassment.
“My doctor costs too much, I can’t afford it”
Free or low cost services are available from some community or primary health organisations, including Family Planning. If you are unsure, contact the National Cervical Screening Unit at www.nsu.govt.nz and ask where you can get a free or low cost cervical smear near you.
“But I’m not sleeping around”
If you’re between 20 and 70 and you’ve ever been sexually active with men or women, a regular smear test is the best way to detect any changes that could indicate cervical cancer.
“I don’t know what to expect – I don’t know what the etiquette is”
Before you have your smear taken, the smear taker will take a few minutes to talk with you about what’s going to happen, if you’ve had any symptoms or if there’s anything worrying you. Ask if you still have questions. They will explain exactly what clothes they need you to take off, and will then give you some privacy to change and to lie up on the bed. There should be a sheet or blanket for you to cover yourself. You may feel more comfortable if you have a shower close to the time.
“I don’t want to visit my usual doctor”
There are lots of different services who do smear tests in New Zealand. They’re all linked to the National Cervical Screening Programme (held by the National Screening Unit of the Ministry of Health) This means you can choose where to have your smear taken. You don’t need to go to your regular GP. You can choose the service that suits you best, such as your local Family Planning Clinic.
“I haven’t been for a while and I don’t want to be “told off”
No-one should tell you off. The smear taker is likely to be pleased that you’ve come. . They may ask if there was something in particular that stopped you having a smear for a while. Be honest about what it was that stopped you. If you have not had a test for more than five years, you will be advised to have a second test in a year’s time.
“I’m queer/lesbian”
The common view that lesbians don't need any kind of cervical smear tests puts lesbians at risk of cervical cancer. Any woman who has had any kind of sex should have a cervical smear test every three years (unless they are advised to have one sooner by their clinic or doctor). This means sex with anyone –males, females, any gender or sexual preference.
If a woman has had no sexual contact at all, the risk of cervical cancer is very low.
“I just haven’t gotten around to it”
Having regular cervical smear tests is part of good self-care for women. Like regular dentist visits or breast checks, it’s part of keeping yourself well and reducing the chances of ill-health. Call your doctor, Family Planning Clinic or community health centre today and book yourself in for a smear test.
Regular STI Tests
Should I have regular STI tests?
There are lots of good reasons for having regular STI tests. If you:
- Are starting a new relationship and want to make sure you’re both healthy, you should use condoms for protection until you’ve both had clear tests and until you’re sure the relationship is exclusive.
- If you are worried that you may have an STI – a test will put your mind at rest or make sure you get treatment as soon as possible.
- If you have any pain or discharge from your vagina or penis – a test will determine if it’s normal, if it’s an STI or if there is some other issue.
- If you have had unprotected sex – an STI check can stop you worrying unnecessarily
STI tests are also an opportunity to talk with your nurse or doctor about anything else that might be worrying you. They’re also an opportunity to talk about the contraception you’re using and if it’s still the best choice for you and your lifestyle.
HPV Vaccine
Is there a vaccination to protect against cervical cancer?
The HPV Vaccine (Human Papilloma Virus) protects girls and young women from HPV infection which can develop into cervical cancer later in life. Every year in New Zealand about 160 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 60 will die from it. More than 99 per cent of all cervical cancer is linked to infection with HPV.
Vaccinating girls and young women now against the main virus that causes cervical cancer will reduce their chances of getting cervical cancer later in life. The vaccine is given as three injections in the upper arm over a six-month period.
Who can get the cervical cancer vaccination?
Girls aged 12 to 18 who are still at school can access the vaccination for free through the national immunisation programme. If you’re no longer at school but would like to be vaccinated, contact your nearest Family Planning Clinic, doctor or sexual health service.
If I have had the cervical cancer vaccination do I still need to have cervical smears?
Girls who have had the vaccination should still have regular cervical smears when they turn 20 – vaccination and regular smears are your best protection against cervical cancer.
