• About Pap tests or Pap smears
• What is a Pap test?
• Where can I have a Pap test?
• When should I have Pap tests?
• How much do Pap tests cost?
• Pap test reminder letters
• Benefits of the Pap test
• What to expect for your first Pap test
• Tips to assist you
• Limitations of the Pap test
• Other tests
• Who should have Pap tests or Pap smears?
• The human papillomavirus (HPV)
• The cervical cancer vaccine
• Abnormal Pap test (or Pap smear) results and treatment
• Cervical cancer

Other tests

The Pap test was developed in the 1920s and remains the best screening test available for the early detection of cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer. PapScreen Victoria does not recommend any product or service other than having a Pap test every two years.

While some new screening techniques have been developed, they should only be used in addition to regular Pap tests.

Liquid-based cytology

Liquid-based cytology is an additional test to the Pap test. The Pap test is taken in the usual way, but in addition to preparing the regular slide of cells, the sampling instruments are either rinsed or collected in a liquid which is also sent to the laboratory.

Unnecessary material such as blood and bacteria are removed from the sample, before the cells are deposited onto a second slide for analysis. Liquid-based cytology will cost women from $36, in addition to any fee for their consultation. There is no Medicare rebate.

HPV testing

A test for detecting HPV types that can cause cervical cancer is available, but is often not helpful in women under the age of 30. This is because infection with these HPV types is very common in young women, but the virus normally clears the body in one to two years naturally.

However, national guidelines now recommend that HPV tests are useful for women who have been treated for high-grade changes to cells in the cervix.

More about HPV tests for women who have been treated for high-grade changes.

Optoelectronic screening

Optoelectronic screening is used in addition to the conventional Pap test. It examines the cervix with a pen-like wand. The wand touches the cervix to pick up electrical and light signals from the tissue beneath, which compares them to a databank of cervical tissue types. The doctor is given an immediate result of either 'normal' or 'abnormal'.

Optoelectronic screening is not widely available in Australia and the cost to the woman is approximately $35. There is no Medicare rebate.

Self-testing technologies

Several products are available for self-testing in the home.

Some are designed to test for the presence of HPV and others test for abnormal cervical cells. Women can access these tests from their doctor at a cost of approximately $50. In most cases, you need to return to the doctor for the results. No Medicare rebate applies.

Self-testing should not be seen as a replacement of the Pap test.

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