The message for women this Cervical Screening Awareness Month is to consider their loved ones.
"We want Wanganui women to consider the wider effect their health has on those closest to them and that it is important to be healthy," said Whanganui Regional Health Network (WRHN) clinical director Alan Mangan.
"The cervical smear test is simple and only takes about 10 minutes, so it's well worth the small amount of time it takes for women and their families to have that peace of mind that they are healthy."
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancers and results show that having regular smear tests every three years can reduce the risk of developing it by up to 90 per cent.
It is also one of the highest causes of death among Maori women. Maori and Pacific women develop cervical cancer at twice the rate of all women, largely because they are less likely to have cervical screening than non-Maori, non-Pacific women.
"It can't be stressed enough how important it is that all women have regular cervical smear tests," Dr Mangan said.
A report last year by Whanganui District Health Board showed the city's rate of cervical screening for eligible women to be the sixth lowest in New Zealand.
By December 2012, 76.7 per cent of eligible women were being screened. The number dropped to 64 per cent for Maori women.
The cervical smear test is a screening test to find abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix which can occur in all women who are or have been sexually active. Most of the cases are caused by the HPV virus, for which there is now a vaccine.
"The cervical smear test saves lives because it's all about early detection," Dr Mangan said.
"The sooner any abnormal cells are found, the sooner treatment can begin - long before they become cancer."
Cervical smears are recommended for all women aged 20 to 70 who have ever been sexually active. Women who have had the HPV vaccine also need to remember that they should still be having regular smears.
Changes in the cervix from HPV infection happen slowly. By having regular smears there is a chance any abnormal cells will be found and treated before they ever become cancer. To find out when your next smear is due contact your general practice team.
For more information visit www.cervicalscreening.govt.nz