
What does the cervical screening test look for?
A cervical screening test is a women’s business test that looks for Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV can be found in men and women and is spread by sexual skin contact normally during vaginal, anal and oral sex. HPV is commonly found in the opening to a woman’s womb (cervix) after having vaginal sex with an infected male.
Up to 90% of adults will have HPV sometime during their life. Some never know they even had the infection because it rarely causes any symptoms, and it usually goes away after 1 to 2 years. However, some people have trouble clearing the infection, which can remain in our body’s cells for years. It can be dangerous to have HPV in your cervix for a long time because it can lead to cervical cancer.
There are different types of HPV, but the most likely ones to turn cells cancerous are types 16 and 18. While other types of HPV can cause cell changes leading to cancer, they are more likely to clear themselves after a few years. A vaccine for HPV 16 and 18, developed by Australian scientists, is now offered to all secondary school-aged children.