Cervical Screening Program
Cervical Cancer is preventable. Through cervical screening every 5 years, rates of cervical cancer can be reduced and lives saved.
Cervical screening
The Cervical Screening Test looks for HPV, a common infection and the cause of almost all cervical cancers.
The Cervical Screening Test can find HPV or changes in the cervix early so they’re easier to monitor or treat before cancer has a chance to develop.
Who should have a Cervical Screening Test?
You should have a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years if you:
- are a woman or person with a cervix; and
- are aged 25 to 74 years old; and
- have ever had sexual contact.
This includes people who:
- have or have not had the HPV vaccine; or
- are pregnant or have had a baby; or
- identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual; or
- are non-binary, transgender or intersex and have a cervix; or
- have a mental or physical disability.
Screening options
If you are eligible for a Cervical Screening Test, you have the choice to either:
- do the test yourself using a thin, soft swab to collect a sample from your vagina; or
- have a doctor or a nurse take a sample using a speculum to access your cervix.
Both options are safe and accurate at detecting HPV.
The self-collected test sample only checks for HPV. If HPV is found, you may need to return for a doctor-collected test to investigate further.
The doctor-collected test sample is also checked for HPV. If HPV is found, the same test sample can be used to look for any further cervical cell changes.
If you have symptoms such as unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, your doctor or nurse may advise you to let them do the test for you using a speculum. Let your doctor or nurse know if you have any unusual symptoms so they can investigate them for you.
‘Let’s Own It!’ Cervical Screening
In September 2024, the ‘Own It’ campaign was launched, funded by the Commonwealth Government. The campaign focusses on supporting choice in cervical screening and increasing awareness and uptake of HPV self-collection.
Self-collection is:
- available for all (asymptomatic) women and people with a cervix aged 25-74
- highly acceptable for many Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
- just as sensitive for detecting HPV and CIN2+/adenocarcinoma in situ as a clinician-collected test taken with a speculum.
The campaign has a particular focus on priority populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and people with a cervix, to ensure no one is left behind in the elimination of cervical cancer. The campaign will be delivered through paid media including national TV, Aboriginal Health TV (in select ACCHOs), social media, Spotify, YouTube, radio, community education and grassroots engagement.
NACCHO is working in partnership with the Department of Health and Aged Care, The Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer, ACON and the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative to deliver the campaign.
HPV self-collection training for ACCHOs
NACCHO has delivered two hour-long webinars, open to all ACCHO staff, on self-collection in cervical screening and how to support Community members with this option. We heard from our guest presenter and expert in the field Professor Marion Saville from the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC) as well as hearing the stories of different representatives working in the ACCHO sector sharing some amazing stories of how self-collect is being implemented in their Community.
To access the webinar recording click here.
Cervical Screening Resources
In collaboration with the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer, NACCHO has co-designed a suite of clinical and health promotion resources for healthcare providers and community members, to support the increased demand for HPV self-collection. These can be accessed below.
Resources for healthcare providers
Further cervical screening resources
are available at the links below
- Cervical screening and self-collection: A resource hub for healthcare providers – ACPCC
- Own It communications toolkit for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
- Own It campaign website
- Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women – National Cervical Screening Program
- Own It – Cervical Screening campaign videos
ACCHO locations
NACCHO oversees a network of 146 members, each running Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across urban, regional, and remote Australia. These ACCHOs range from large facilities with multiple healthcare professionals providing comprehensive services to smaller centres focused on preventive care and health education, primarily delivered by Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses.
NACCHO’s Aged Care programs are delivered in selected locations across its network, ensuring culturally appropriate care reaches Elders and older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in diverse urban, regional, and remote communities.
Contact
For any inquiries or assistance, please contact the Cancer Team here: cancer.team@naccho.org.au.
