Self-collection and cervical screening frequently asked questions

Self-collection is when a woman or person with a cervix takes their own vaginal sample using a long handled cotton swab, provided by their healthcare provider

A self-collected sample is checked for human papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection that causes most cervical cancers. HPV is a common infection that can cause cervical cell changes that may develop into cervical cancer over time. By detecting a HPV infection early, it allows your healthcare provider to monitor the infection and intervene if required.

Even if you have had the HPV vaccination, you should still have regular cervical screening tests. A cervical screening test every five years is the best way to protect yourself against cervical cancer.

All cervical screening participants have the choice to self-collect their own cervical screening test.

If you are due for a cervical screening test, you can either:

• collect your own cells from your vagina in private, use a long handled cotton swab (self-collection)
• have a healthcare provider collect the sample (clinician collection). The means a doctor or nurse will use a speculum to obtain cells from the cervix.

It's YOUR CHOICE which method you prefer.

Self-collection is not suitable for some participants under the following circumstances:

• if you are symptomatic (i.e. experiencing unusual vaginal bleeding, pain or discharge)
• if you are undergoing 'test of cure' surveillance for abnormal results
• if you have had a total hysterectomy with a history of high-grade results
• if you have been exposed to Diethylstilbesterol (DES) in utero.

If you're unsure whether any of these apply to you, or if you're experiencing any symptoms such as unusual bleeding, pain or discharge, please see your healthcare provider. If you've had a hysterectomy, please check with your doctor about screening options.

You should have a cervical screening test every five years if you:

• are between 25 and 74 years of age
• have ever been sexually active (this includes any type of sexual activity and isn't limited to intercourse)
• are a woman or a person with a cervix.

It makes no difference if you:

• are trans or gender diverse
• have had the HPV vaccination or not
• are no longer sexually active
• have been through menopause
• have only been with one sexual partner
• have experienced traditional cutting or circumcision
• have had a baby
• are pregnant (make sure to let your healthcare provider know)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection that causes almost all abnormal cervical cell changes and most cervical cancers. Many people will have HPV and never know, as there are usually no symptoms.

HPV is spread by genital skin to skin contact during sexual activity. You can be exposed to HPV the first time you have sexual activity, and from only one sexual partner. Most people will have the HPV infection at some point in their lives, but the body usually clears the virus. The virus is so common it could be considered a normal part of being sexually active. Condoms may provide some protection from HPV, but they don't cover all the genital skin.

There are many types of HPV and most are cleared by the body within one to two years. If the body does not clear HPV, it can cause abnormal cervical cell changes. If left undetected and untreated, these changes can develop into cervical cancer. By detecting HPV early, it allows your doctor or nurse to monitor the infection and intervene if needed.

Both self-collection and clinician collected methods test for the presence of HPV. A self-collection test detects HPV before it has the chance to develop into abnormal or cancerous cells. HPV can be detected from inside the vagina, so there is no need to access the cervix in the first instance. The test is extremely sensitive and if HPV is present, it will be picked up effectively from a cell sample taken from anywhere on the wall of the vagina (upper, middle or lower vagina).

If HPV is found, your healthcare provider may ask you to have another test.

If HPV is found after a self-collection test, you will need to return to the clinic to have a clinician collected test. This only happens in about 8% of cases, meaning people choosing the self-collection option have a 92% chance of being cleared to do their next cervical screening test in five years.

In a clinician collected screening test, both HPV and cervical cells are tested. This means your doctor or nurse will use a speculum to get cells from the cervix to check for any abnormal cell changes. HPV testing picks up the disease process at a much earlier stage. It takes HPV many years to cause damage that can lead to cervical cancer.

Visit How to do a self-collection test in 3 easy steps for more information.

If HPV is found in your self-collected cervical screening test, your healthcare provider will recommend you return. They will collect a cervical sample for further testing to determine what to do next.

Both self-collection and clinician collected tests are accessed through your GP. The self-collection test is usually done in the GP clinic by you, in private behind a screen or in the bathroom. In some cases, depending on which pathology service your GP uses, the sample can be taken at home.

While most clinics are set up for self-collection, it is advised to ask when making a booking to make sure. For more information on this, visit Where to get a self collection test for cervical screening.

In 2017, the five yearly cervical screening test replaced the two yearly pap test. The five year cervical screening test is more effective in identifying people at risk of cervical cancer than the two yearly pap test.

While the pap test used to look for cell changes in the cervix, the cervical screening test looks for HPV, which can lead to cell changes in the cervix. The cervical screening test detects what could turn into cervical cancer before the virus has a chance to cause cancerous changes to the cells on the cervix.

Modelling shows five yearly HPV testing will prevent 20-30% more cancers than the two yearly pap test. This estimate takes into account the very rare number of non-HPV cancers the cervical screening test could miss.

Contact the National Cervical Screening Registry (NCSR) to find out when you're next due for cervical screening or to update your contact details. The NCSR manages a confidential database of cervical test results used to contact you reminding you to screen if you're overdue for a test.

The registry uses Medicare information inviting you to screen when you turn 25.

Call the NCSR on 1800 627 701

Visit the NCSR website

Self-collection is just as safe and accurate as a clinician collected test. A self-collection test is taken from the vagina, not the cervix, and means taking a sample with a swab rather than a speculum. The self-collection test is painless, accurate and easy.

Both tests check for the presence of HPV, which if left untreated, can lead to cervical cancer. If HPV is found on the self-collection sample, you will need to return to the doctor or nurse to have another sample collected to check for abnormal cell changes. Most people receive an 'all clear' result and won't need to follow up.

You can speak with your healthcare provider about your results and what they mean for you.