CHANGES made earlier this month mean all local women now have the option of choosing between a self-collected Cervical Screening Test (CST) or having a healthcare provider collect their sample, giving women more control over the screening process.

Previously, self-collection was only available for women aged 30 and over who had never been screened for cervical cancer or were overdue for a screening by two years or more, however, the changes to Australia’s National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) have made the option accessible to anyone with a cervix, aged 25-74.

Western District Health Service clinical nurse specialist, Amy Holmes, said the NCSP change was made in “an attempt to increase participation rates in the program”.

“The option of self-collection is available for women/people with a cervix who have had normal CSTs in the past or people who are too uncomfortable with the concept of a clinician collected CST,” she said.

“This is due to the recent statistics showing that nearly 45 per cent of Australian women/people with a cervix are not up to date with their CST.

“Most cases of later staged cervical cancers occur in women who have never been screened or are not up to date with their screening.

“All forms of cervical screening do, however, still need to be requested by a Medical Professional.”

Both screening options are free under Medicare and are accurate, safe ways of collecting a sample, with the self-collection option involving the person being provided with a swab and instructions on how to do the test, which would be completed in a private area at the medical clinic.

Ms Holmes said self-collection tests differed from those completed by a healthcare provider as they collected cells from different areas, however both tested for the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection that causes a significant number of cervical cancer cases.

“(Self-collection tests) are as effective in detecting HPV as a clinician performed specimen, but the cells are collected from the vagina, unlike the clinician sample collected from the cervix,” she said. 

“Exceptions to this form of collection would include patients experiencing abnormal bleeding, pain, unusual discharge, or having previously had an abnormal result from a pap smear or CST.” 

Hamilton Medical Group (HMG) doctor, Leesa Walker, agreed that while people may be more comfortable completing a self-collection test, it may not be the best option for everyone.

“I think the main thing to emphasise is that self-collection is for under-screened women, and if women have symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, then they are not appropriate,” she said.

Women or people with a cervix aged 25-74 years old are encouraged to have a CST every five years, with both collection options available in Hamilton.

“Locally, women can access CSTs through their general practitioner (GP), such as Hamilton Medical Group, Hamilton Family Practice, The Wholistic GP, and Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation, or the Women’s Health Clinic run at the Francis Hewitt Centre,” Ms Holmes said.

Ms Holmes said everyone who has been putting off getting regular health checks such as CSTs, mammograms, bowel screens, and sexually transmitted infection tests during the COVID-19 pandemic should book in with their local GP as soon as possible.

“Covid has been at the forefront of everyone’s mind, but it is time to reprioritise yourself and your health,” she said. 

“Knowing your body, performing regular self-checks and seeking advice when discovering abnormalities is important.

“Remaining up to date with these free screening schemes is a simple and effective method of early detection of disease, therefore improving treatment options and chances of survival.”

Australia is the first country in the world to offer self-collection CSTs.