Unbox my Cervical Screening Test with me!

Published: 04 October 2024

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Unboxing a cervical screening self test kit
Duration: 1:13

Unboxing my HPV cervical screening self test kit

Watch me unbox my self collect HPV specimen collection kit for the cervical screening program.

So, firstly, we have a flocked swab with a red cap. We have our solution. We have a fact sheet, which outlines our four easy steps for collecting our specimen.

So using the flocked swab with the red top without any lubricant, we insert it into the vagina, not just the entrance.

Move it around in a circular motion for about ten rotations, and then move around other areas deep in the vagina.

Immediately place a flocked swab with the red top back into the container and secure the cap.

So then the swab and the solution and our referral in the bag, are taken directly to the health care provider, or there are steps for collection at the bottom.

Apart from being a little bit uncomfortable to talk about, not necessarily do, this is really easy.

So make sure to check in with your GP if a self-test is right for you.

You now have the choice to self-collect your own Cervical Screening Test sample – talk to your healthcare provider about what you need to do.

It’s really easy - if you’re eligible and want to collect your own sample, your healthcare provider will give you a swab and instructions.

A self-collected sample is taken from the vagina, so you don’t need to worry about reaching the cervix or ‘getting the right spot’. All you need to do is insert a swab a few centimetres into your vagina and rotate it for 20 to 30 seconds.

Is it accurate?

Yes, it is. Evidence shows a self-collected Cervical Screening sample is just as accurate at detecting Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) as a clinician-collected sample taken from the cervix during a speculum exam.

Who can self-test?

Self-collection is available to all people eligible for a Cervical Screening Test – that is people who:

  • are aged between 25 and 74
  • have had any type of sexual contact
  • are a woman/person with a cervix
  • are due or overdue for routine cervical screening.

When due, you should get a Cervical Screening Test even if you:

  • have had the HPV vaccine
  • are not currently or are no longer sexually active
  • have had the same partner for a long time or only had one partner
  • are gay, lesbian, or bisexual,
  • are transgender or non-binary with a cervix
  • are pregnant
  • have had a baby
  • have been through menopause
  • feel healthy and have no symptoms.

Because self-collection looks for HPV only – not cervical cell abnormalities – it is generally not appropriate for people who have symptoms of cervical cancer or if you are experiencing unusual bleeding, pain or discharge.

You should speak to your doctor about whether self-collect is the right option for you.

How does the test work?

A self-collected sample is taken from the vagina and is checked for human papillomavirus (HPV) – a common infection that causes almost all cervical cancers.

Where can I find out more information?

Talk to your GP or primary healthcare provider to see if self-collection is right for you. You can also find more information on the Queensland Government website.

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Last updated: 01 May 2025