A positive step in cervical cancer screening: a self-collected option

You may have heard the exciting news that from July 1, 2022, all women and people with a cervix have the option to choose to perform a self-collected vaginal swab to test for cervical cancer, instead of the traditional cervical screening test (known as CST or Pap Smear) which involves a speculum examination by a doctor or nurse.

The option of self-collection for everyone has come about because recent studies have shown that a self-collected sample is just as effective at detecting the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) as the conventional cervical screening test (CST).

Access to self-collected cervical screening has exciting possibilities to offer a less invasive test for those who find a speculum examination difficult.

HPV is known to be the cause of cervical cancer. Most sexually active people will pick up several different varieties of HPV virus, just like people pick up many different colds. If someone has HPV on their self-collected vaginal swab test result it does not mean that they have cervical cancer. If HPV is found on the vaginal swab then the cervix will need to be looked at and a sample of cells collected by a doctor or nurse. There are different next steps depending on the type of HPV detected. If there is no HPV in the vagina then it is very unlikely that the person will develop cervical cancer and they would be recommended to have another test in 5 years time.

Many people find a speculum examination very straightforward and a sample collected from the cervix by a doctor or nurse means that they can have a visual check of the cervix and collect a sample of cells at the same time as testing for HPV. Most people will continue to have the standard cervical screening test (CST/Pap Smear)

However, some people find cervical cancer screening very difficult or uncomfortable. Access to self-collected cervical screening has exciting possibilities to offer a less invasive test for those who find a speculum examination difficult. Self-collection is also appropriate for women who are due cervical screening and are pregnant or post-natal. The self-collected test still needs to be arranged through your GP or women’s health nurse.

With the combination of HPV vaccination for all teens at school, access to self-collected screening tests and traditional CST, along with excellent treatment for pre-cancer conditions; Australia is on-track to be the first country in the world to possibly eliminate cervical cancer by 2035. What a lucky country!