Cervical screening made simple

The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the cause of almost all cervical cancers. A cervical screening test is usually done every 5 years. It detects HPV. Most people will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives but clear it naturally.

For a few people, the virus is not cleared by the body and can cause changes in the cells of the cervix. Over a long period of time, these changes can develop into cervical cancer.

Over 70% of people who get cervical cancer have either never screened or have not screened as often as recommended.

The cervical screening test is a great way of protecting yourself against cervical cancer by finding early changes so they can be monitored and treated, if needed. The cervical screening test is not a test for other sexually transmissible infections and it doesn’t test for cancer of the ovary or uterus.

You should have regular cervical screening tests if you’re aged between 25 and 74, have ever been sexually active and have a cervix.

You should have cervical screening tests even if:

• you have been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, or HPV
• you are no longer sexually active
• you have had the same partner for a long time or only one partner
• you have been through menopause
• you only have sex with women
• you were born with a cervix but do not identify as female.

However, if you have had a total hysterectomy in which your cervix was removed, you usually do not need regular cervical screening tests.

Check with your health care provider if you still need to screen. Usually, if everything is normal, you will only need this test every 5 years.

You should get a letter inviting you to screen - but you can also check when you are due with your health care provider or the National Cancer Screening Register on 1800 627 701.

Unsure if screening is due?

If you are unsure or want to check if your screening is due, you can:

• ask your health care provider
• go to the National Cancer Screening Register
• call 1800 627 701.

You can have a cervical screening test at most GP clinics or health centres; you don’t have to go to a gynaecologist, and you might prefer to go to a different clinic than usual.

You can make an appointment with any cervical screening provider, including a doctor, nurse, midwife or some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.

When you call to make your booking, make sure you say it is for a cervical screening test so the right length appointment can be booked. You can request a female provider, if you like.

Try not to book your appointment for when you have your period.

You do not do anything special to prepare for your appointment.

If you have been through menopause, you might like to ask about using an oestrogen cream in your vagina in the week before your appointment to make the test more comfortable.

You have two choices. You can collect your own sample, or your healthcare provider (usually a doctor or a nurse) can collect your sample. Both choices are accurate and safe.

At your appointment, it is important to tell your healthcare provider if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, discharge, or pain during sex, since this may change which option is better for you.

If you choose to collect your own sample, talk to your healthcare provider. They will give you a special swab to use and explain what to do. You can collect your sample in private, for example behind a curtain or in a bathroom, or talk to your healthcare provider about other options.

To do the test, you will hold the swab by its handle and insert it a few centimetres into your vagina. Rotate the swab for 10-30 seconds. Since this is a sample from your vagina, there is no need to reach your cervix with the swab. Put the swab in its packaging and return it.

You can also ask your healthcare provider for help in collecting your sample.

Your sample will be sent away to be tested for the human papillomavirus (or HPV) but it can’t be tested for cell changes. If HPV is found, you will be asked to return so your healthcare provider or a specialist can collect a sample from your cervix to test for cell changes.

If you choose for your healthcare provider to collect your sample, they will ask you to remove the clothes on the lower half of your body and lie on an examination bed. You will be covered with a sheet.

Your provider will ask you to bend your knees up and move them apart. They will insert a speculum into your vagina and use a small plastic tool to gently ‘brush’ your cervix. This may feel uncomfortable but should not hurt; tell your provider if it does.

You might like to take some deep breaths to relax your muscles. Once the sample has been collected, the speculum is taken out and you can get dressed.

Your provider will send the sample to be tested. This type of sample can be tested for human papillomavirus (or HPV). If HPV is found, the same sample can also be tested for cell changes.

Whichever option you choose, talk to your healthcare provider about how and when you will get your results and any next steps.

Comfort checklist

This comfort checklist (PDF) may may also have some other ideas to make your appointment more comfortable.

If you are 25 to 74 years old and due for cervical screening, you have two choices. You can collect your own sample, or your healthcare provider (usually a doctor or a nurse) can collect your sample.

Both choices are accurate and safe.

At your appointment, it is important to tell your healthcare provider if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, discharge, or pain during sex, since this may change which option is better for you.

If you choose to collect your own sample, talk to your healthcare provider. They will give you a special swab to use and explain what to do. You can collect your sample in private, for example behind a curtain or in a bathroom, or talk to your healthcare provider about other options.

To do the test, you will hold the swab by its handle and insert it a few centimetres into your vagina. Rotate the swab for 10-30 seconds. Since this is a sample from your vagina, there is no need to reach your cervix with the swab. Put the swab in its packaging and return it.

You can also ask your healthcare provider for help in collecting your sample.

Your sample will be sent away to be tested for the human papillomavirus (or HPV) but it can’t be tested for cell changes. If HPV is found, you will be asked to return so your healthcare provider or a specialist can collect a sample from your cervix to test for cell changes.

If you choose for your healthcare provider to collect your sample, they will ask you to remove the clothes on the lower half of your body and lie on an examination bed. You will be covered with a sheet.

The healthcare provider will insert a speculum into your vagina and use a small plastic tool to gently ‘brush’ your cervix. This may feel uncomfortable but it should not hurt; tell them if it does.

This type of sample can be tested for human papillomavirus (or HPV). If HPV is found, the same sample can also be tested for cell changes.

Whichever option you choose, talk to your healthcare provider about how and when you will get your results and any next steps.

After your cervical screening test, you can return to your usual activities. You may have some blood spotting from your vagina. This is normal but should stop after a day. You can have sex any time after your screen.

Your sample will be tested in a lab and your result will be sent to your health care provider in around two weeks.

If you choose to collect your own sample, talk to your healthcare provider. If HPV is found, you will be asked to return so your healthcare provider or a specialist can collect a sample from your cervix to test for cell changes.

If you choose for your healthcare provider to collect your sample, follow up with your provider to get your result and find out what you need to do next.

For most people, their result is normal or low risk and they can come back for their next screen in 5 years.

Some people will be asked to come back for another screen in one year and a few people will need to have a different type of test to take a closer look at their cervix. This is called a colposcopy and does not feel very different to a cervical screening test, but is done by a specialist.

Still got more questions?

Want to know more about a colposcopy? View the colposcopy videos

It’s not unusual to feel nervous or worried about having a cervical screening test. Lots of people do. Some find it comforting to bring along a support person. Of course, you can ask your provider as many questions as you like at any time during the appointment.

You’re not alone if you feel embarrassed about the test or that your vagina is ‘not normal’. You can collect your own sample, or your healthcare provider (usually a doctor or a nurse) can collect your sample.

You can choose which provider you would like to do your cervical screening test – it doesn’t have to be your regular doctor. You can also ask for a female provider. You will undress and dress in privacy and will have a sheet to cover yourself.

Although a cervical screening test may be uncomfortable, it should not be painful. Using relaxation techniques, such as taking long slow breaths, can help. Tell your provider if you feel any pain.

Although the test is usually free if you have a Medicare card, you may be charged for the appointment.

If you are worried about the cost, you can discuss this when booking, or you can make a booking at a bulk billing practice or free health centre. If you find it hard to make the time for a booking, you might consider searching for a clinic that offers after hours appointments.

If you need an interpreter to help you with your appointment, you can call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.