On the Coast – Over 55 Issue 28 I March/April 2019 | Page 27

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 or discharge you
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
Primary Care Ltd and
the Central Coast Local
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. two
years if the previous result was normal. If no
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
MARCH/APRIL 2019 – ISSUE 28
27