You are one of over 76,000 Australian women helping improve cervical cancer prevention.

We now know that long term infection with certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. The Compass Trial is comparing HPV testing to the Pap smear for cervical cancer screening. ​

In the Compass trial, you will have a test taken from your cervix in exactly the same way as you would usually have a routine Cervical Screening Test except that the cells will be put into a liquid rather than onto a glass slide. This liquid sample can be used to make a Pap smear or a HPV test. Some women in this trial will have a Pap smear, some women will have a test for HPV. ​

If the HPV test is negative, the likelihood of developing cervical cancer is so low that it is safe to leave the next screening test for 5 years. If the HPV test is positive there is a chance of having or developing abnormal cells on the cervix so further tests need to be done. ​

This trial is being conducted by The Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer and the Cancer Elimination Collaboration at the University of Sydney.

Trial recruitment is now complete. All patients will have completed follow-up in this trial by 31st December 2026.