A guide to: cervical cancer screening

Why cervical screening matters

Cervical cancer screening saves lives. Regular screening is one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer or detect it at an early stage, when it's easier to treat.

If you’re aged 25 to 74 and have a cervix, it’s important to keep up to date with your cervical screening, even if you feel healthy or have no symptoms.

Whether you’ve had the HPV vaccine or not, regular screening remains essential.

About the Cervical Screening Program

Cervical cancer is largely preventable. Since the National Cervical Screening Program was introduced in 1991, the rate of cervical cancer in Australia has halved.

In 2017, the program was updated to improve accuracy and prevent cancer. It now uses an HPV cervical screening test, which looks for the virus that causes almost all cervical cancers - rather than abnormal cell changes, like the old Pap test.

Key benefits of the cervical screening program:

• Tests for human papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer
• More accurate, requiring testing only every 5 years (after your first HPV test)
• Works together with the HPV vaccination program to reduce cervical cancer rates
• Expected to reduce cervical cancer deaths by at least 20% more

Who should be screened?

You are eligible for cervical screening if:

• You are 25 to 74 years old
• You have a cervix
• You have ever been sexually active

It makes no difference matter if you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, straight, or whether. It’s important to know that cervical screening is relevant regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity - whether gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or straight. It is recommended whether or not someone has received the HPV vaccination. Screening is still important even if a person is no longer sexually active, has gone through menopause, or has only ever had one sexual partner.

Cancer Council Australia strongly advises eligible people to participate in the program.

How to get screened for cervical cancer

If you're due, you should receive an invitation or reminder in the mail. To take part:

1. Contact your GP or health provider to book an appointment.
2. They will explain your options and help you decide what's right for you.

Two screening options are available:

1. Clinician-collected sample: Collected by a trained health professional during a short procedure. You can request for them to be a woman.
2. Self-collection: You can now collect your own sample using a simple swab, under the guidance of a doctor or nurse in a healthcare setting. It’s:

• Private and simple
• Just as effective as the clinician-collected test
• More suitable for those who may feel uncomfortable with a clinician-collected sample

Note: If you have symptoms like unusual bleeding, discharge or pain, you should talk to your doctor - self-collection may not be appropriate in these cases.

What if I missed a test?

If you've missed a cervical screening test or delayed it for any reason, book an appointment as soon as possible. Screening could save your life. The National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) supports the cervical screening program by inviting and reminding eligible people to screen, and acts as a safety net by prompting timely follow-up. If you’d like to get in touch with the NCSR, you can fill out the online enquiry form or call 1800 627 701.

If you're unsure or have questions about your eligibility, screening options, or how to get started, talk to your doctor or visit our support pages.

Download information about cervical screening in your language

Australia and Cancer Council leading the way

The Chair of Cancer Council Australia's Screening and Immunisation Committee, A/Professor Karen Canfell, led the independent evidence review. The review (submitted to the independent Medical Services Advisory Committee) concluded that the new cervical screening test every five years is more effective, just as safe and was estimated to result in over 20% reduction in incidence and mortality from cervical cancer in Australian women compared with the previous program.

For more information on how Australia is leading the world when it comes to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health issue with our world-leading screening and immunisation program, watch the video below.

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