Understanding your results

Cervical screening is now primarily an HPV test. This test is for the high-risk HPV types which may lead to cell changes that could cause cancer. Most positive high-risk HPV tests never develop into cancer.

What happens if I have a positive high-risk HPV test?

If HPV is detected following your cervical screening, you will need to undergo additional testing. However, for many people HPV infection is cleared by the body's own immune system within months to a few years.

Many people who have HPV detected will not have any cell changes but it will still be necessary to have further investigation with cytology or colposcopy. The exact process depends on the type of HPV that is detected.

If HPV 16 or 18 is detected, you will be referred to a specialist clinic for further investigation using a procedure called colposcopy. A colposcope is like a pair of medical binoculars on a stand and it magnifies the cells on the cervix. Coploscopy shows where the abnormal cells are. A tiny piece of tissue may be removed (a biopsy) which may cause brief discomfort. The biopsy is sent to a laboratory to confirm if an abnormality is present. These procedures are simply and require only a short visit to a hospital clinic or private specialist.

There are 12 other high-risk types of HPV that are tested for and if these are detected it is referred to as a positive test for HPV Other. Cytology testing (a cervical smear) will be used as a secondary test in these cases. If the cytology test is negative, you will be asked to return for another HPV test in 12 months.

If the cytology testing shows positive or definite high-grade changes then you will be referred to colposcopy. Treatment is generally only required if there are certain abnormal cell changes of the cervix.

What about the future?

Most cervical cancers can be prevented by HPV vaccination, having regular cervical screening and following National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) recommended guidelines if any abnormalities are identified. There is no evidence that HPV affects the ability to have children.

Smoking decreases the immune system’s ability to deal with the HPV virus and therefore may increase the risk of developing abnormal cell changes.

More information on cervical screening is available on www.timetoscreen.nz/cervical-screening/.

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Cervical screening

This information regarding cervical screening applies to all people with a cervix (regardless of their gender identity).

It is recommended that any person aged 25 to 69 with a cervix should have regular cervical screening every five years. It is important to have these regular cervical screenings regardless of your gender identity and the gender identity of your sexual partners. It is safe to undergo cervical screening while pregnant.

As of September 2023, the primary test under the National Cervical Screening Programme is an HPV test, with the option of self-testing. This is a better first test for the prevention of cervical cancer.

Having a positive HPV test does not mean you will have or will get cancer. After a positive test you can be monitored by colposcopy through the cervical screening programme. This ensures that if abnormal cells are detected they can be treated, if necessary, well before they may ever develop into cancer.

What is the process for cervical screening?

While cervical screening previously involved a clinician using a speculum to complete a smear test, for most people this will no longer be necessary with changes to the National Cervical Screening Programme.

The HPV test can be done as a simple vaginal swab. You can choose whether you would like to do a self-test or have the swab performed by a clinician. Even when self-testing, this will need to be done by visiting a healthcare provider. In some instances, such as if you are immune deficient, a smear test may still be recommended and you can discuss this with your healthcare provider.

This test can be done through your GP, Family Planning, sexual health services, and community health services.

It is from a cervical smear that most people usually find out that they have HPV, however, others will find out because they have developed genital warts. It is impossible to know how HPV is transmitted to any particular person even through cervical screening.

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What is the new HPV screening test?

In September 2023, a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) screening test became the new method for cervical screening in Aotearoa New Zealand. This test is for the high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HrHPV) types which may lead to cell changes that could cause cervical cancer. Most positive HrHPV tests never develop into cancer.

In most cases, this new HPV test replaces the need for a speculum examination (known as a pap smear) as part of cervical screening. The HPV test can be done as a simple vaginal swab. You can choose whether you would like to do a self-test or have the swab performed by a clinician.

What does your positive test really mean?

Having a positive HrHPV test does not mean you will have or will get cancer. After a positive test you can be monitored by colposcopy through the cervical screening programme. This ensures that if abnormal cells are detected they can be treated, if necessary, well before they may ever develop into cancer.

What does this mean for your sex life past, present and future?

Unless you have been vaccinated before becoming sexually active, you are likely to have been exposed to the genital HPVs. Sometimes called the common cold of STIs, HPV is a virus that most of us will having during our lifetime.
The vaccine protects against nine different subtypes of the virus, so even with vaccination there is still a risk of exposure to HPV. However, most HPV types are asymptomatic and/or have no/low risk of causing cervical cell changes. The vaccine protects you against the most common low-risk and high-risk types.
You may have HPV for years without it causing any problems. How and when you got HPV doesn't matter as it is rarely possible to know.
A positive HrHPV test does not mean you need to change who you sleep with or what you do with them sexually.

What should male partners do if you have a positive high-risk HPV test?

There are no diagnostic or screening tests for HrHPV for males. There is no need to do anything.