Did you know that cervical cancer is largely preventable – yet NSW has one of the lowest participation rates for cervical screening of all states and territories, with the age group of 30-34 among the lowest participating cohorts. 

Cancer Council NSW is urging all women and people with a cervix to ensure they’re up to date with their cervical screening.

If you're 25 and over, and have ever been sexually active, you may be due for cervical screening. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Regular cervical screening is your best protection against cervical cancer.

Yonit Kittay, Community Coordinator at Cancer Council NSW said, “you now have a choice in how you participate in cervical screening. It’s empowering to be able to pick the screening option that suits you best”.

Now you can choose to self-collect. Self-collection lets you collect your own sample using a small swab. It’s quick, easy, private and just as accurate as detecting HPV as a test done by a healthcare provider.

“Self-collection will have a significant impact on increasing participation in cervical screening. It’s a game changer for eliminating cervical cancer,” added Ms Kittay.

Cancer survivor Kirsty was just 26 when she went to the GP for a routine appointment. During the consultation, Kirsty asked for a pap test (now known as a cervical screening test). A few days and several tests later, doctors confirmed Kirsty had cervical adenocarcinoma, a rare and more aggressive form of cervical cancer.

Eight weeks after the cervical screening, Kirsty was in hospital having major surgery, followed by an intense recovery.

"Two years after surgery, my fertility was assessed and my husband Murray and I fell pregnant naturally. This was a big surprise as I was told it could be harder for women to fall pregnant after having their cervix removed. My son Baxter was born in November 2017, making me one of the first women in Australia to have a successful pregnancy and birth without a cervix” Kirsty says.

The Australian Government invites women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 to have a cervical screening test every five years through the National Cervical Screening Program.

Currently, approximately 70.4% of women and people with a cervix aged 25-34 based in Northern NSW participate in cervical screening.

“If you are due or overdue for a cervical screening test, book in to speak to a doctor or specially trained nurse about your options, including self-collection. One test every five years could save your life”.