Primary cervical screening test will change to screening for the human papillomavirus every five years from 2018.

The test changes from analysing cells to detect changes indicating an increased risk of developing cervical cancer, to screening for HPV which causes more than 90 per cent of cervical cancers.

Primary cervical screening test will change to screening for the human papillomavirus (HPV) every five years from 2018.

In New Zealand around 160 women develop cervical cancer each year.

Health Minister Dr Johnathan Coleman says what happens at a women's cervical smear appointment will not change.

'The new test means women only need to be tested every five years as opposed to three as the HPV test is more sensitive,” he explains.

'Last year the Ministry of Health consulted with the sector and the public on changing the primary cervical screening test.”

While New Zealand has one of the most successful cervical screening programmes in the world, Jonathan believes there's always scope to further improve screening.

He says testing for HPV is internationally recognised as a better primary test for cervical screening and a number of countries are implementing screening like Australia, the UK and the Netherlands.

'HPV vaccination combined with screening provides the best protection. Changing the test is expected to further reduce cervical cancer deaths by 16 per cent in unvaccinated women and 12 per cent in vaccinated women.”

The Ministry of Health held 13 meetings around the country on the proposed changes and a total of 87 submissions were received.

The Ministry will continue to work with the public and the sector to ensure a smooth transition to the new testing regime in 2018.

'Cytology will continue to have an important place in cervical screening,” says Jonathan.

For more information about cervical screening visit the National Screening Unit website at: www.nsu.govt.nz/national-cervical-screening-programme