Cervical screening and self-collection:
A resource hub for healthcare providers
This resource hub is for General Practitioners and healthcare providers. It houses educational resources about the National Cervical Screening Program, to help you get up to speed with the latest clinical guidelines, support the choice of HPV self-collection, and encourage your patients to participate in screening.
Campaign
The National Cervical Screening Program has undergone significant changes in recent years, including the introduction of universal access to HPV self-collection. Self-collection is one of the best tools we have to increase screening participation and progress towards the equitable elimination of cervical cancer in Australia. Funded by the Australian Government, a nation-wide campaign, promoting the choice of self-collection to the public kicked off in September 2024. Make sure you are ready! Here you can access downloadable resources, podcasts, videos and free eLearning modules and webinars, to help you get up to speed and ensure you feel confident in supporting choice for cervical screening.
Resources
An information sheet for clinicians and patients, with step-by-step, illustrated instructions.
An information sheet for clinicians comparing screening options (clinician–collected sample compared to self-collected).
A 2-page, clinician-facing resource with the illustrated National Cervical Screening Program pathway and supporting information.
A 2-page resource to aid discussion with patients about the nature of HPV and its link to cervical cancer.
A 2-page resource outlining considerations for screening women during pregnancy
A 2-page clinician-facing resource answering the top 10 frequently asked questions on HPV self-collection.
An information sheet for patients, with options for cervical screening, what happens after a test, and how to self-collect.
An information sheet outlining the considerations for the use of HPV self-collection.
An information sheet for clinicians, outlining Arbyn’s (2018) research, demonstrating the accuracy of self-collected samples.
Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
A tailored resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients answering common questions about cervical screening.
An information sheet for clinicians and patients, with step-by-step, illustrated instructions.
This video is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. It explains how to take your own Cervical Screening Test sample.
Visit the NCSP website for information and resources on how to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients in cervical screening.
Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse patients
An information sheet for clinicians and patients, with step-by-step, illustrated instructions available in 23 languages.
An information sheet for patients, with options for cervical screening, what happens after a test, and how to self-collect. Available in 7 languages.
Find information and resources on how to engage patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in cervical screening.
More translated resources are available on the National Cervical Screening Program website.
eLearning Online Modules
The ACPCC offers a FREE online course for healthcare providers, aimed particularly at GPs and nurses. Delivered through the GPEx online learning platform, you can complete this in your own time and at your own pace.
Cervical Screening, HPV and Self-collection
Clinical Education Course
Aimed to equip healthcare providers across Australia with the knowledge and skills to be able to offer the option of HPV self-collection to eligible patients and increase cervical screening participation rates.
Top 10 self-collection FAQs
This 8-minute video will answer the top 10 questions about HPV self-collection from GPs and health professionals.
Click here for a downloadable pdf of the Top 10 self-collection FAQ.
Video: Supporting your patients to make the choice
This 12-minute video demonstrates how you can incorporate self-collection into your practice, and outlines the important points to discuss with patients to support them to make an informed choice about how they screen.
Webinar: Get-the-Facts
This webinar discusses what you and your patients need to know about self-collection. We help you understand the evidence behind self-collection, equip you with the tools you need to effectively support patients to make an informed choice about this screening method, and support you to better engage those who are reluctant to screen. Suitable for GPs, nurses, midwives and other healthcare providers with an interest in cervical screening.
Podcast: Dispelling myths about HPV self-collection in cervical screening
Podcast featuring Prof Marion Saville AM discussing the reliability of self-collection with Dr Terri Foran, medical educator.
Self-Collected samples
Not yet set up to offer the choice of self-collection? To get ready, contact your pathology provider to:
- confirm that they can process self-collected vaginal samples, or will send them on to one that does
- order the correct collection device and other consumables
- confirm any collection, handling and transport requirements.
The National Cervical Screening Program website lists pathology providers currently processing self-collected samples.
What can I do to help?
Help raise awareness of this campaign and the self-collection option amongst your networks! Visit our Stakeholder Toolkit to find newsletter content, social media tiles and more.
