Information for Healthcare Providers

You can help increase participation in cervical screening.

Talk to your patients about self-collection.

The National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) invites all women and people with a cervix from the ages 25-74 to have a Cervical Screening Test (CST). There are two options for undertaking the CST. The sample can be collected by the clinician or trained health professional, or patients can self-collect. Both options are available to all people participating in cervical screening. Self-collection allows screening participants to take their own vaginal sample for HPV testing; removing a significant barrier to participation in screening for many people. All NCSP participants have the choice to screen either by a self-collected vaginal sample or a clinician collected sample from the cervix (accessed through a healthcare provider in both cases). Healthcare providers are well placed to talk with patients about their cervical screening options to help them make an informed choice.

Importance of self-collection as an option for participants

Self-collection provides a level of control and choice for patients, removing a significant barrier to participation in screening.

There are some groups that are less likely to screen, including:

  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women;
  • culturally and linguistically diverse communities;
  • people who identify as LGBTIQ+;
  • people with disabilities;
  • people who have experienced sexual violence;
  • post-menopausal women;
  • and people who have had previous negative cervical screening experiences.

Self-collection may be more acceptable to these groups.

Accuracy of a self-collected sample for the detection of HPV

Recent evidence has shown that the sensitivity and specificity of HPV testing to detect CIN2+ in self-collected samples were similar to those for clinician-collected samples when using validated PCR-based HPV assays.

A self-collected sample is taken from the vagina (not the cervix). It can be tested for the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) but not cytology (cervical cell abnormalities). If HPV is detected on a self-collected sample, depending on the type of HPV, it is recommended a patient should have a speculum examination with a cervical sample collected for liquid-based cytology (LBC), or be referred directly for colposcopy.

Role of healthcare providers in self-collection

Healthcare providers continue to play a central and critical role in the NCSP, in assessing patient risk and using clinical judgement to recommend testing and follow-up.
Healthcare providers will still need to offer a consultation for cervical screening whether it be a self-collected vaginal sample or clinician-collected cervical sample.
During the consultation, healthcare providers will need to explain how to collect a self-collected sample, provide the swabs and offer information around test results and appropriate follow-up.
Where self-collection is chosen, patients should be provided with a private place within the clinic to collect their sample.

NCSP Clinical Guidelines

The self-collection option for  the Cervical Screening Test is available for everyone who is eligible for the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP), making it easier to participate, especially for people who have never screened or do not screen regularly. The NCSP clinical guidelines provide the latest advice on screening via self-collection.

NCSP Clinical Guidelines

Testimonials

"No special appointment is needed, it fits right into a standard consult. I am so pleased to be able to give women this option."

Helen Wilcox, General Practitioner

"By offering the choice of self-collection, we have the potential to reach more people, which is crucial to the prevention of cervical cancer.”

Dr Sarah Smith, Liaison GP at King Edward Memorial Hospital

Resources

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Cancer Screening 2022 - Can I collect my own sample for cervical screening?

FAQs

How does self-collection differ from clinician-collected sample for cervical screening?

Unlike a clinician-collected sample, a self-collected sample is taken from the vagina (not the cervix). It can be tested for the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) but not cytology (cervical cell abnormalities). If HPV is detected on a self-collected sample, depending on the type of HPV, it is recommended the patient should have a speculum examination with a cervical sample collected for liquid-based cytology (LBC), or be referred directly for colposcopy.

Who is eligible for self-collection?

From 1 July 2022 all NCSP participants aged 25-74 years will have the choice to screen either by a self-collected vaginal sample or a clinician-collected sample from the cervix, accessed through a healthcare provider in both cases.

Prior to 1 July, access to self-collection is only available for those over 30 years or older whom are more than two years overdue for screening or have never screened.

Who is NOT eligible for self-collection?

Self-collection is not suitable if the participant requires a co-test because they:

  • have been exposed to diethyl-stilbestrol (DES) in utero
  • are symptomatic e.g.  experiencing unusual vaginal bleeding, pain or discharge
  • have had a total hysterectomy with past history of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL)
  • are undergoing test of cure surveillance.

Prior to 1 July 2022, self-collection is also not available to those under 30 years of age.

How do I order self-collect swabs and return the samples for processing?

The requirements for requesting and processing self-collected tests differ across laboratories. If you have any questions regarding this process, contact your local pathology laboratory directly.

In Australia, the processing of self-collected vaginal samples for HPV testing under the NCSP is currently supported through three accredited pathology laboratories. These are:

  • VCS Pathology
  • Douglass Hanly Moir (DHM) Pathology
  • Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology

All pathology laboratories in Western Australia have arrangements with an accredited laboratory and can accept self-collected samples.

Is self-collection less accurate than a clinician-collected Cervical Screening Test?

No. Recent evidence has shown that the sensitivity and specificity of HPV testing to detect CIN2+ in self-collected samples were similar to those for clinician-collected samples when using validated PCR-based HPV assays.

How can I be confident a self-collected sample has been done correctly?

A self-collected Cervical Screening Test detects HPV DNA at levels associated with the presence of CIN2+ shed from the cervix. Therefore, as long as the sample is collected from the vagina, it will be accurate.

Can I assist my patient to collect their own sample for cervical screening?

Patients that have difficulty collecting a lower vaginal sample by themselves could be assisted to do so by a healthcare provider. Alternatively, the provider could collect the sample using a self-collection swab without using a speculum. A sample collected in this way is still classified as self-collection on the pathology request form.

What is the likelihood that a patient will need to return for follow-up testing after a Cervical Screening Test?

Among those attending for routine screening, approximately 2% have HPV 16/18 detected and approximately 6% have HPV (not 16/18) detected, although the latter varies by age. Over 90% test negative and can safely return to screen in five years’ time

When deciding whether to choose self-collection or clinician-collection, patients must be given clear information by their healthcare provider about the likelihood that HPV may  be detected and, if so, what follow-up will be required.

Need to check a patient’s cervical screening history?

The National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) enables healthcare providers to access and submit cervical screening data electronically in a self-service fashion.

To access and submit cervical screening data, contact the NCSR on 1800 627 701 or visit their website.

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