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.