Pap Smear

[ElleBelle]

Wow, that’s good to know! Imagine asking for a Papanicolaou Test 🙂

[Kit]

@Aunt_Flo Oh wow, so was it like an option for you in a clinic? That sounds good to have choice.

[Aunt_Flo]

@Kit yeah! The gyn mentioned it was an up and coming technique that they could do while also performing the normal screening. 

[MsBlueStreak]

This from the federal government’s Cancer Screening website: 
http://www.cancerscreening.gov.au/internet/screening/publishing.nsf/content/future-changes-cervical

The new test will become standard and covered by Medicare from 1 May next year.

[Kit]

^^ Haha I love that idea of an ‘exit test’. Does it make anyone else laugh? Or is it just me comparing it to exit interviews and therefore jobs…..

[ElleBelle]

I’m a bit confused by the new testing. Are they only testing for HPV now? Is there a danger that it will miss cervical cancer caused by other things?

[Nurse_Nettie]

Hi @ElleBelle, new science & technology is often confusing! Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by persisting ‘high risk’ types of HPV infection. These are types of HPV that we know are likely to cause cancerous changes (there’re many types of HPV that are harmless too). Performing the current pap test alone unfortunately is not accurate enough to identify these particular high risk types of HPV and women may require more investigations if HPV infection continues. The new testing methods are more accurate and will provide more detail. It’s important to know that any unusual signs of vaginal bleeding or pain should always be investigated too.

[ElleBelle]

Thats good to know. Thanks @Nurse_Nettie!

[Author]

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