Health is Gold (142) Changes in Pap Test

Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates have halved in Australia since the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program in 1991. This program offered a free Pap test every two years to women between the ages of 18 and 70. Women aged 25 to 74 years of age should have a Cervical Screening Test two years after their last Pap test. Subsequently, you will only need to have the test every five years if your results are normal.

HPV infection rates are declining in Australia as a result of a schools-based vaccination program. Source: AAP