Cervical screening is an important part of every woman’s health routine—and one that should be met with availability and support.
Today, we’re diving in and explaining self collection for cervical screening and why it can be a convenient option.
Well on Bay stands for convenient and supportive women’s health services
Taking care of health can sometimes feel daunting or an inconvenience making some people apprehensive.
As such, in this article, we’ll explore the benefits of self-collection for cervical screening and how it can empower you to take control of your health journey.
We cover
- Understanding Cervical Screening
- The Importance of Regular Screening
- Introducing Self-Collection
- How Self-Collection Works
- The Benefits of Self-Collection
- Getting What You Need
Understanding Cervical Screening
Before we delve into self-collection, it’s best to first understand what cervical screening is.
Cervical screening, previously known as the Pap smear test, is a routine check-up that helps detect any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix.
These changes could indicate the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) or potential precancerous conditions.
The Department of Health puts an emphasis on the importance of cervical screenings with the National Cervical Screening Program. Find more here.
The Importance of Regular Screening
Regular cervical screening is important for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer.
By catching any abnormalities early on, we can take proactive steps to manage and treat them, significantly reducing the risk of developing cervical cancer.
It’s a simple yet effective way to safeguard your health and wellbeing.
Did you know? Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), especially if the infection sticks around for a while. This is the main reason why some women develop cervical cancer.
Another big risk factor is smoking.
As pointed out by the Cancer Council, around eight out of 10 women will become infected with genital HPV at some time in their lives. Fortunately, most women who have the HPV infection never get cervical cancer.
Introducing Self-Collection
With self-collection, you can now take the reins of your health journey from the comfort of your own home in privacy.
It’s a convenient and hassle-free alternative to traditional screening methods.
Self-collection means eligible women perform the steps needed themselves to collect a sample, which is then sent to a pathology laboratory.
How Self-Collection Works
You’ll receive a self-collection kit, complete with instructions on how to collect a sample of cells from your cervix. This is done with a swab and is considered painless.
Important: The self-collection kit is a swab that you’ll need to pick up from your doctor whilst also ensuring that you’re eligible for self collection. This is typically a quick chat about your medical history with your doctor.
In most cases, self-collection is available to all people who:
- are female / person with a cervix and aged between 25 and 74
- have had any type of sexual contact
- are due or overdue for routine cervical screening
Self collection may not be appropriate if there are abnormal symptoms or if you have had abnormal cervical screening in the past.
You can find more information about self-collection for the Cervical Screening Test here.
Once you’ve collected the sample, the sample is sent to the pathology lab for analysis, and a report is sent to your doctor after the sample is analysed. It’s that simple.
The Benefits of Self-Collection
Self-collection offers a myriad of benefits, making cervical screening more accessible and convenient for women everywhere.
These benefits include:
- Privacy. You can perform the sample collection at home or in a private location like a closed cubicle
- Accessibility. Self-collection removes barriers to cervical screening for women who may have difficulty accessing services due to location, mobility issues, or other constraints
- Reduced Anxiety. For some, the thought of attending a clinic for cervical screening can cause anxiety or embarrassment
- Empowerment. Self-collection can put women in control of their health by providing them with the tools and information they need to participate actively in their screening process
The biggest benefit is of course, early detection.
Cervical screening – in any form – is to detect abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. If found early, the chances of successful and simple treatment increase significantly.
This can often mean reducing costs, medical intervention and of course, lower serious risks to your health.
Getting What You Need
To ensure you’re eligible for self-collection cervical screening, you’ll need to collect a swab from your doctor and make sure you know how to collect your sample correctly.
Booking your self-collection appointment at Well on Bay is quick and easy.
Simply book online or give us a call to schedule your appointment today.
Our team is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.
