On the Coast – Families Issue 98 I February/March 2019 | Page 21

Central Coast Primary Care
Did you know Pap Smears have
changed to Cervical Screening Tests?
Are you confused about the changes and why
they have gone from 2 to 5 years?
The Wyong Cervical Screening
Outreach Clinic can assist you in
providing a free and confidential
service for your next cervical
screening.
A Cervical Screening Test (CST) prevents
cervical cancer by detecting human
papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the cause of
cervical cancer in 99% of cases.
The changes to the Cervical Screening
Program, which commenced in December
2017, are due to significant improvements
in testing for the presence of HPV. This
has reduced the need for testing for
most women to 5 years with a Cervical
Screening Test (CST) replacing the Pap
Smear. All women who have been sexually
active at any stage in their lives and are
aged between 25 and 74 should have a
Cervical Screening Test, even if they have
had the HPV vaccination. If you are over 25
and never had a pap smear or it has been
longer than 2 years since your last smear
you should book in for your CST now. If
you are aged between 70 and 74 you
should have an exit test two years after
your last pap test. At any age if you have
any symptoms of unusual bleeding, pain
two years if the previous
result was normal. If no
HPV is found and there
have been no previous
abnormal smears nor
a history of abnormal
bleeding, you won’t need
another test for five
years.
The Wyong Cervical
Screening Outreach Clinic
is a joint initiative
between Central Coast
or discharge you should see a doctor even
if you have had a previous normal Pap
Smear or CST.
The Cervical Screening Test is performed
in the same way as the previous Pap
Smear.
If you have been having Pap Smears in
the past, then your first CST is due at the
time your next smear is usually due i.e.
Primary Care Ltd and the Central Coast
Local Health District. The clinic has been
operating for several years and is a unique
and confidential service provided by
female GPs. It is held in the Wyong
Community Health Centre every
Wednesday. The GPs provide Cervical
Screening Tests and breast checks and all
services and visits are bulk billed.
If you are due for a CST or if you are eligible for and have never
been screened don’t put it off, BOOK YOUR FREE APPOINTMENT
TODAY by calling 4365 2294 More information:
www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/how-we-help/screening-and-early-detection/
FREE CERVICAL SCREENING CLINIC
Confidential Free Service
Provided by Female GPs
These services provided are:
• HPV test – previously a pap smear
• Breast Checks
Central Coast Primary Care is a Registered
Provider for NDIS. Provider # 4050003930
The Cervical Screening Outreach Clinic
Wyong Central Community Health Centre To book your
FREE appointment
Level 1, 38a Pacific Highway, Wyong
Open every Wednesday 9am–4pm Call 4365 2294
The Clinic is a joint initiative between Central Coast Primary Care and the Central Coast Local Health District
Appointments are essential
FEBRUARY/MARCH – ISSUE 98
21