Using an HPV test for primary cervical screening from July 2023

From July 2023, the primary test for cervical screening will be a test for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes over 95 percent of cervical cancers.  

Self-testing will be an option for everyone who needs to provide a vaginal swab sample. The cervix does not need to be reached with the sampling device, making it a simple test for participants. It can be done in the clinic, at home, or other community settings but clinical oversight is required in order to explain the test, manage results and arrange follow up.  

Participants can choose how to have their screening test: either take it themselves or have a clinician take it for them. The clinician can take a vaginal swab sample which will be managed by the lab as a self-test; or the clinician can take a liquid-based cytology (LBC) using a speculum. For primary screening, a LBC sample will be tested for HPV initially and reflex tested for cytology if the HPV test result is positive. 

The simplicity and privacy of self-testing means it will reduce barriers for all participants and will increase access to the clinical pathway for Māori and Pasifika.  

Participants need to be reassured that a self-test is just as effective as a clinician-taken sample at detecting the presence of HPV.

Clinical oversight for self-testing means that for every self-test sample, there is a health professional who signs the laboratory request form and who is responsible for: 

• providing advice and obtaining informed consent  
• providing the test kit to the participant/coordinating getting it back (tests won’t be sent out centrally) 
• ensuring the correct lab request information is provided on the request form and that the request form is signed by them
• ensuring the participant is told of the test result and the result is followed up and the next steps/referrals are completed as needed.