Cervical screening has restarted. The next time you come in for cervical screening your sample will be tested for the HPV virus.
If you are worried about symptoms that might mean you have cervical cancer, please contact Athboy Family Practice now. Never ignore symptoms.
HPV Cervical Screening
Cervical screening now looks to see if you have any of the high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause cervical cancer. This is a new way of cervical screening.
The old smear test looked for abnormal cells first. But finding HPV first is a better way to screen for cervical cancer.
If HPV is found, your same test sample will be checked to see if you have any abnormal (pre-cancerous) cells in your cervix.
If we find a HPV infection early, we can monitor it and offer you treatment if there are any changes to cells in your cervix.
Read more about HPV cervical screening and how it compares with the old smear test.
Going for your screening test
The way your cervical screening sample is taken will be the same. But your GP surgery or clinic may be a little different when you go for your appointment.
Change you may notice include:
- talking with your doctor on the phone before your appointment
- your nurse or doctor wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
- being asked to wear a mask during your appointment
- being asked to wait outside until it’s time for your appointment
- fewer people in your healthcare building
- waiting a little longer for your appointment
Because of this, you should:
- try to organise childcare, where needed, ahead of your appointment
- plan to wait a little longer at the surgery for your test, if needed
- check transport timetables for your return home
- bring warm clothes or a rain jacket, or both
- make sure you have enough time for parking if driving
- bring your own pen to sign the screening form
- keep in touch with your surgery and follow their advice
You can read more about the new cervical screening process on the HSE website here >>
Source: HSE.ie