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Cervical Screening tests have changed. We don’t always need an examination with a doctor or a nurse. We can now choose to swab ourselves for Women’s Business. It’s easy and just as accurate as if the doctor or nurse did it.
Take control – even if you have avoided a PAP Smear / Cervical Screening Test (CST) for a long time. You can collect a swab or get support from a nurse or doctor to do it.
All women and people with a cervix.
We all need to do this even if you have:
Starting from age 25, you will need a test every five years until you’re 74.
The CST detects a virus called HPV. It’s super common but some types can cause problems. Our immune system usually clears HPV without treatment, but if it stays around for a while, there is a risk that it might cause abnormal cell changes.
In some cases, these cell changes lead to cancer, but this takes many years, and changes can be treated if found early.
While the old PAP test could only detect abnormal cell changes, the CST test now detects the HPV virus.
Keeping up to date with the test helps us to know when to keep an eye on things more closely and helps us to stay ahead of changes.
Have a yarn with the doctor, nurse, or health worker at your local Aboriginal Medical Service or GP practice and ask for a CST. They can check if you’re due or overdue. They will yarn through the options including collecting your own swab.
Tell them if you have any symptoms like unusual bleeding, discharge, or pain, as it might be best to have a full check-up instead.
Your doctor or nurse will yarn through the results when they come back from the lab (this can take a couple of weeks).
9 out of 10 tests are negative (this means no sign of the HPV virus and you can come back in 5 years for your next test).
If the test finds HPV, don’t panic, this doesn’t mean you have been diagnosed with cancer. The doctor will need to do an examination to check the cells and then let you know what’s needed. If the cells are okay, you will need another test in 12 months to keep an eye on things. Sometimes you’ll need a referral to be checked by a gynaecologist.
If you receive a referral to be checked by a gynaecologist, you will have an examination known as a ‘colposcopy’.
A colposcopy involves a gynaecologist using a device known as a speculum. A speculum is shaped like a duck’s bill, and this is used to open the vagina and allow a better view of the cervix and surrounding area to examine the changed or abnormal cells.
The colposcopy will take 10-15 minutes and you may feel some discomfort during your procedure.
Based on the results of this examination, they will then let you know what the next step is. Always remember to attend follow-up appointments if directed.
