Cervical screening for priority population groups
Cervical screening for multicultural communities
It's been shown women and people with a cervix from multicultural communities are less likely to participate in regular cervical screening. It's important all women and people with a cervix, no matter what language they speak or how long they've been in Australia have a cervical screening test every five years between ages 25 - 74.
Women from different cultural backgrounds may find it easier to take a self-collection test. Women who choose not to or are unable to have a doctor or nurse collect the sample may choose to take the sample themselves.
How to do a self-collection test in 3 easy steps
Read more about where to find a self-collection test provider
Information about cervical screening tests and preventing cervical cancer is available in languages other than English. You can:
- visit our cervical screening resources page for resources in your preferred language
- ask your doctor or healthcare provider for information about cervical screening and your options
- call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 for assistance in your preferred language.
Cervical screening for people with disability
Women and people with a cervix who are living with disability have the same risk of developing cervical cancer as those living without disability.
When making your appointment with your healthcare provider, tell the staff about any particular requirements you have. Some women and people with a cervix with disability may face barriers that make having a cervical screening test harder. These barriers may include:
- clinic accessibility
- physical limitations
- competing health needs
- informed consent.
A doctor or healthcare professional can provide support or individual advice to help make testing more accessible and responsive to your needs.
Cervical screening for trans and gender diverse people
Trans and gender diverse people with a cervix between ages 25 - 74 need regular cervical screening. No matter your gender identity or sexual history, you're still at risk of cervical cancer.
Many trans and gender diverse people find self-collection easier, as it allows them to perform the test privately and in a way that feels more respectful of their needs.
Choose a healthcare provider you feel comfortable with—your experience of cervical screening matters, and using language that acknowledges diversity can play a key role in making the process more inclusive and respectful.
For more information about cervical screening for trans and gender diverse people, including links to affirming, helpful and respectful healthcare providers, please visit SHINE SA or Trans Health SA.
Video transcript
If you're somebody with a cervix and you've had any type of sex in the past, you should consider getting regular cervical screening, and that includes trans and gender diverse people.
Regular cervical screening helps detect cervical cancer and it can save your life.
I think people in the transgender diverse community or people that have, you know outside of the norm sex can often think that like maybe that doesn't apply to me, because I don't do this thing or I don't do that thing. But we all need to be getting cervical screenings.
If we have one, so there's a lot of things you can do to make the experience more comfortable for you.
You can bring a support person, like a friend a partner or family member.
You could use some kind of distraction like fidget toys, you can sit upright, you can ask to insert speculum yourself.
There's a lot of ways that you can feel empowered to make sure your test is your own and you're comfortable.
It's not your mother's cervical screening anymore.
There are two options that are both as efficient you can either self-collect with a long-handled swab like this, or a clinician can insert a speculum and do it for you.
Both just as effective as each other. You can access a self-collection test pretty much anywhere.
You could get a cervical screening done whether it's a sexual health clinic or a GP clinic. And it's a good idea to ask if self-collection is available when you make the appointment.
As uncomfortable as it is. you're not the only person that has to do one.
A lot of us will at some some point have to do it. As much as it sucks. but you're not the only one so reach out to your mates, chat about it and just know you're not alone in this.
And I also want to say you can withdraw your consent at any time. You're allowed to say no and it can stop.
You're empowered to make that decision for yourself.
Keep yourself educated. When I got my positive HPV result I didn't know what that meant.
I didn't know where to turn, I didn't know what to do. We have so many services that are at our disposal as trans and gen diverse people that are here to help us.
If you stay educated you will stay alive.