MidCentral District Health Board has outlined measures for encouraging women to actively participate in a cervical smear and observe September as Cervical Screening Awareness Month. While commenting on the move, the MidCentral sexual health services Medical Head, Anne Robertson, notified that cervical smears on regular basis can play a role to significantly minimize the risk of developing cervical cancer by around 90%.

"But the changes happen very slowly, so by having regular smears, there is a very high likelihood that abnormal cells will be found and treated long before they ever become cancer”, added Dr. Robertson.

In addition, Dr. Robertson urged the women to make best use of Cervical Screening Awareness Month and give a thought to recall the day of their last cervical smear test. Cervical cancer is the most preventable form of cancer which can be triggered by any cell changes caused by the human papillomavirus to the cervix.

To avoid the preventable cancer, experts recommend cervical smear tests in every three months, especially for people aged between 20 to 70 as well as sexually active women. The MidCentral DHB has hailed women to schedule their appointment at earliest and advised to make a call on helpline number for any further assistance on the matter.