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.