HPV & Cervical Screening

HPV vaccination is not a substitute for cervical screening.

The HPV vaccine does offer the best protection against most HPV-related cancers, but not all of the HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.

For all people with a cervix, inclusive of those who identify as men (transmen), vaccination, regular cervical screening, and following National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) recommended guidelines if any abnormalities are identified, is the most effective pathway to follow to prevent invasive cervical cancer developing.

Regular cervical screening will ensure early detection and treatment of HPV-related abnormal cells and prevention of most cervical cancer. Regular cervical smear tests are part of maintaining a healthy body.

New Zealand has one of the best cervical screening programmes in the world. The number of deaths from cervical cancer has dropped by nearly two thirds since the national screening programme started. The NCSP encourages cervical screening every 3 years, if they have ever been sexually active, from the age of 25* until they turn 70, and to check that abnormal results are followed up.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer and regular screening can reduce the risk of developing it by up to 90 per cent.

*From November 2019, the cervical screening start age in New Zealand changed from 20 to 25 years.

For further information about the National Cervical Screening Programme in New Zealand: