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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 participants
lift 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
been sexually active in a long time.
Question 2
What is the biggest risk factor for developing
cervical cancer?
a. Getting older
b. Having a family history of cervical
cancer
c. Not having regular cervical screening
(Pap smears)
Q2: Answer
c. Not having regular cervical screening (Pap
smears)
Four out 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.
health.wa.gov.au
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?
a. Yes
b. No
c. 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
 Sexual and Reproductive Health WA
(formerly FPWA)
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.
health.wa.gov.au
Question 7
What does a cervical screening test (Pap
smear) look for?
a. Cervical cancer
b. Cell changes in the cervix
c. Cobwebs
Q7: Answer
b. Cell changes in the cervix
Question 8
It is not uncommon for 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. Four out of
every five women who develop cervical cancer
have never had a Pap smear or do not screen
regularly.
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.
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, HPV is 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.
health.wa.gov.au
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?
a. Pregnant women
b. Women who only have sex with other
women
c. Women who no longer have periods
d. 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.
health.wa.gov.au
Question 15
How often should a woman have a Pap smear?
a. When she has a symptom that could
indicate cervical cancer
b. Every two years
c. Every four years
d. 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.
v2 October 2015
This document can be made available in alternative formats
on request for a person with a disability.
© Department of Health 2015
Copyright to this material is vested in the State of Western Australia unless otherwise indicated. Apart from
any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the
provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced or re-used for any purposes whatsoever
without written permission of the State of Western Australia.
health.wa.gov.au