To help prevent cervical cancer, health guidelines recommend women aged 25 to 74 who have ever been sexually active complete a cervical screening test every five years.

A cervical screening test looks for the Human Papillomavirus, a prevalent virus that nine out of 10 people will have at some point in their lives.

Initially, in 1991, the test was introduced as a pap smear test in Australia under the national cervical screening program, changing from a pap smear in 2017 to a cervical screening test that looks for HPV.

From July 2022, you now have two options when you next go for your cervical screening test: a traditional cervical screening test by a doctor with a speculum and brush or choosing to self-collect under the guidance of a health professional.

Cancer Council Victoria cancer screening senior manager Alice Bastable highlighted how the self-collection option had transformed accessibility for cervical cancer prevention.

“Both self-collected and clinician-collected cervical screening tests are equally effective at detecting HPV, which means people can choose the cervical screening option that feels right for them,” Ms Bastable said.

“Many people experience barriers to screening participation, whether it is they don’t have a doctor that they trust, that they are fearful of the test with the speculum or they have had negative screening experiences with the speculum and a brush before.

“Self-collection is a more private, more comfortable option that people can have a lot more control over as well.”

Fresh statistics show that of the 598,055 cervical screening tests conducted in Victoria from July 2022 to June 2024, 29.1 per cent were self-collected.

Notably, outer regional areas recorded the highest uptake at 47.7 per cent, with remote areas following closely at 43.5 per cent.

Yet, recent survey findings from the Centre of Behavioural Research in Cancer indicate that roughly one-quarter of eligible regional Victorians still aren’t aware they can self-collect.

“Participating in cervical screening is one of the most important ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer,” Ms Bastable said.

“We understand that for Victorians living in regional areas, access can be a challenge but with the option for self-collection, screening can now be more accessible, comfortable and private.”

Victorian Cancer Registry data indicates those living outside major cities faced an 18 per cent higher likelihood of cervical cancer diagnosis from 2021 to 2023.

In a move to boost accessibility, telehealth consultations now enable eligible participants to receive self-collection kits by mail after a remote healthcare provider consultation.

For more information, visit cancer.org.au/cancer-information/screening/cervical-screening

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Thursday, 2nd February 2023

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