Practices are invited to prepare for a new cervical screening campaign by ACON called ‘Own It’ in January 2023.
The campaign aims to empower young women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 35 years to make their Cervical Screening Test their own, by choosing how to screen.
The campaign is based on the experiences of real people who have made choices about how their Cervical Screening Test is done, to overcome barriers.
Their choices include self-collection, bringing a friend, inserting the speculum themselves, finding a doctor they could trust, talking to others and educating themselves to address misinformation.
For people who are eligible for a Cervical Screening Test, GPs should offer the choice of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing by either:
- self-collected vaginal sample using a simple swab (unless a co-test is indicated)
- clinician-collected sample from the cervix using a speculum and a soft brush
Eligible people include anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 74, who has ever had any sexual contact.
GPs must order and oversee both options.
Both are accurate and safe ways to collect a sample for a Cervical Screening Test.
Please give your patients clear information about the pros and cons of both sample collection options, including possible follow up requirements. This supports the patient in making an informed decision.
Order Own It campaign resources for your practice
The Own It campaign will launch on Monday, 16 January 2023 and run throughout February.
If you’d like to order campaign posters (A3 or A4) for your practice or service email canwe@acon.org.au.
National Cervical Screening Program resources
Find out more about cervical screening and collection options in these resources.
National Cervical Screening Program – Healthcare provider toolkit: Department of Health and Aged Care
This toolkit helps healthcare providers engage under-screened and never-screened women in cervical screening, and support them if they choose to participate.
National Cervical Screening Program clinical management pathway: Department of Health and Aged Care
Learn about the clinical pathway that supports the National Cervical Screening Program and the guidelines for pathology testing of cervical and vaginal samples.
National Cervical Screening Program – self-collection quick reference guide: Department of Health and Aged Care
A quick reference guide for healthcare providers about the option of self-collection for cervical screening. It includes information on possible test results and follow-up requirements.
National Cervical Screening Program – clinician collected quick reference guide: Department of Health and Aged Care
A quick reference guide for healthcare providers about the option of clinician-collection for cervical screening. It includes information on possible test results and follow-up requirements.
National Cervical Screening Program resource library: Department of Health and Aged Care
Find resources to help you engage with patients and improve your understanding of the national screening program.