Cervical screening is super important, as it’s the most accurate way to protect yourself from cervical cancer. Doctors recommend women and people with cervixes start getting routine cervical screening tests from the age of 25. Once you turn 25, you need to get one every 5 years. 

The Cervical Screening Test replaced the old ‘Pap test’ in 2017, and has been found to protect almost one third more people from cervical cancer. Check out this video for more info about the cervical screening test, and why it has replaced the Pap smear test. 

Who can get a cervical screening test?

You’re eligible for a free Cervical Screening Test if you:

• Are aged 25 to 74
• Are sexually active or have ever been
• Are a woman or a person with a cervix

The test is recommended regardless of whether you:

• Are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or straight
• Have received the HPV vaccination or not
• Are no longer sexually active
• Have been through menopause
• Have only had one sexual partner
• Have experienced traditional cutting or circumcision (also known as female genital mutilation, or FGM)
• Have had a baby
• Are pregnant (just let your healthcare professional know)

Do it yourself!

It can be scary and uncomfortable to have someone else (even though they are medical professionals) touch around your genitals to perform a Cervical Screening Test. If this isn’t what you’d like, the good news is you can now collect your own sample! 

If you decide to take this option, your healthcare provider will provide you with a swab and some simple instructions, then you can collect a quick sample in a private space — it’s just as accurate as a sample collected by a doctor. Learn more about self-collection here. 

That being said, people with symptoms of cervical cancer or those experiencing unusual bleeding, pain or discharge should speak with a doctor first about whether self-collection is the right option. 

HPV and cervical cancer

HPV is a very common virus spread through skin-to-skin contact, which often occurs during sex. Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by genital HPV. 

The HPV vaccine 

The Australian government now vaccinates all school children aged 12-13 against HPV. So you might’ve already gotten vaccinated! It’s free and part of the National Immunisation Program. It protects you against nine types of HPV that are responsible for most HPV-related illnesses. 

If you haven’t gotten a HPV vaccination, whatever the reason may be, people aged up to 26 can get a free catch-up vaccination from their healthcare provider. Older adults can still get it too, though there is a cost. You can check your immunisation history here to see if you need one. 

For more information about cervical screening visit the National Cervical Screening Program website or call 13 15 56.