Questions and answers for cervical cancer prevention activities in the community

These questions can be used for a variety of activities at community events and information stalls. For example, use the question tabs below to create a lucky dip or a ‘pick a number’ quiz game. These activities can be a fun way to engage women in a discussion about Pap smears and cervical cancer prevention.

Right: An example of a quiz where participantslift up paper underwear shapes to reveal questions

Question 1
Do women who have not been sexually active for a ‘long time’ still need to have regular Pap smears? / Q1: Answer
Yes. All women over 18 years of age who have ever been sexually active should have regular Pap smears, including women who have not beensexuallyactive in a long time.
Question 2
What is the biggest risk factor for developing cervical cancer?
  1. Getting older
  2. Having a family history of cervical cancer
  3. Not having regular cervical screening (Pap smears)
/ Q2: Answer
c. Not having regular cervical screening (Pap smears)
Fourout of every five women who develop cervical cancer have never had a Pap smear or do not screen regularly.
A family history of cervical cancer is not a risk factor, as cervical cancer is not ‘hereditary’. Almost all cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Since cervical cancer takes up to 15 years to develop, getting older is also a risk factor which is why it is important for women to continue to have regular cervical screening up until the age of 70 years.
Question 3
Do women who have sex with women need to have Pap smears? / Q3: Answer
Yes. All women, including lesbian and bisexual women, need to have regular Pap smears.
The virus that causes cervical cancer, the human papillomavirus (HPV), is spread through genital skin contact during sexual activity. This includes female-to-female sexual activity.
Question 4
Do women who have had a hysterectomy need to have Pap smears?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. It depends…
/ Q4: Answer
c. It depends…
Whether a woman needs a Pap smear or not after a hysterectomy depends on:
  • the type of hysterectomy performed – specifically whether or not the cervix was removed;
  • why the hysterectomy was performed; and
  • if Pap smear results were normal before the hysterectomy.
The need to continue screening after a hysterectomy depends on a woman’s individual circumstances.It is therefore important that all women discuss their need to continue screening with their health care provider.
Question 5
Where can a woman go to have a Pap smear? / Q5: Answer
  • Their local GP surgery
  • Aboriginal Medical Service
  • Community Health Centre
  • Women’s Health Centre
  • SHQ (formerly Sexual and Reproductive Health)

Question 6
Can you name one symptom of cervical cancer? / Q6: Answer
Early stage cervical cancer often has no symptoms. Sometimes there is abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge or pain.
Regular Pap smears are critical as they can detect abnormal cervical cell changes early, allowing them to be monitored and if needed treated before they have the chance to progress to cervical cancer.
Question 7
What does a cervical screening test (Pap smear) look for?
  1. Cervical cancer
  2. Cell changes in the cervix
  3. Cobwebs
/ Q7: Answer
b. Cell changes in the cervix
A Pap smear is a test to find abnormal cervical cells early, so they can be monitored and, if needed treated, before they have a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
Question 8
It is not uncommonfor women to feel nervous about having a Pap smear. What is something you could suggest that may help women feel more comfortable? / Q8: Answer
  • Ask your health care provider to take the time to explain the procedure
  • Ask any questions you may have
  • Take a support person
  • Book your Pap smear with a health care provider that you feel comfortable with

Question 9
True or false? Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable of all cancers. / Q9: Answer
True. The biggest risk factor for cervical cancer is not having regular Pap smears. Fourout of every fivewomen who develop cervical cancer have never had a Pap smear or do not screen regularly.
A Pap smear can detect abnormal cervical cell changes early, allowing them to be monitored and, if needed treated, before they have a chance to progress to cervical cancer.
Question 10
What is the main cause of cervical cancer? / Q10: Answer
Almost all cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Anyone who has ever had sexual contact can have HPV. It is so common that four out of five people will have HPV at some time in their lives.
In most cases, HPVis naturally cleared by the body in one to two years. In rare cases, if the virus persists, it can lead to cervical cancer. This can take around 10 to 15 years to develop.
Regular Pap smears can detect abnormal cervical cell changes caused by HPV early, allowing them to be monitored and, if needed treated, before they have a chance to progress to cervical cancer.
Question 11
Do women who have had the HPV vaccine still need to have regular Pap smears? / Q11: Answer
Yes. The HPV vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. That is why it is important for HPV vaccinated women to continue to have regular Pap smears.
Question 12
True or false? The biggest risk factor for cervical cancer is not having regular Pap smears. / Q12: Answer
True. Four out of every five women who develop cervical cancer have either never had a Pap smear, or do not have regular Pap smears. Having regular Pap smears until you are 70 years old is currently your best protection against cervical cancer.
Question 13
Which group of women do not need Pap smears?
  1. Pregnant women
  2. Women who only have sex with other women
  3. Women who no longer have periods
  4. None of the above
/ Q13: Answer
d.None of the above
Every woman over 18 years of age who has ever had sexual contact should have regular Pap smears. Sexual contact includes intercourse, as well as any other genital skin to genital skin contact.
After you turn 70, your health care provider may advise you that you no longer need to have Pap smears if your previous smears were normal.
Women that are pregnant, have only had sex with other women or no longer have periods still need to have regular Pap smears.
Question 14
Is a Pap smear a test for cancer? / Q14: Answer
No. A Pap smear is a cervical screening test – a quick and simple test used to screen women for changes in the cells of the cervix which, if left undetected and untreated, may lead to cervical cancer.
Regular Pap smears can detect abnormal cervical cell changes early so they can be monitored and, if needed treated, before they can turn into cervical cancer.
Question 15
How often should a woman have a Pap smear?
  1. When she has a symptom that could indicate cervical cancer
  2. Every two years
  3. Every four years
  4. Whenever she feels like it
/ Q15: Answer
b. All women should have regular two-yearly Pap smears
Early stage cervical cancer often has no symptoms. This is why regular Pap smears are so important – they can detect abnormal cervical cells early, allowing them to be monitored and, if needed treated, before they have the chance to progress to cervical cancer.
Women with any symptoms (such as unusual bleeding, discharge or pain) should see their health care provider as soon as possible.

V3 September 2016

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© Department of Health 2016

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