On this page you can find out what you can do to lower your chance of developing cervical cancer.
Cervical Screening
HPV Vaccination
Practise Safer Sex
Choose not to smoke
Cervical Screening
Cervical screening is a test to check if the cervix is healthy. In this section you can find out about:
Cervical Screening Tests remain your best protection against cervical cancer. The current guidelines recommend that every woman and person with a cervix from the ages of 25-74 who has ever had sex should have a Cervical Screening Test. Screening is required by: Test every five years even if you have: If you’ve had a hysterectomy, check with your doctor about your screening needs. Depending on the type of hysterectomy and your medical and screening history, you may need to continue to undertake a type of screening. If you are under 25 please click here. Currently, nearly 45% of Australian women are not up to date with their Cervical Screening Tests. This is alarming as evidence shows the women most likely to get cervical cancer in Australia are those who have not had regular cervical screening. Your GP or health professional should let you know if you need to have them more regularly. It is also important to check with a medical professional if between tests you have any unusual symptoms* such as: *Please note that these symptoms are very general and may not indicate cervical cancer. Check out our comfort checklist to find out more about how to make it a comfortable experience. For a health practitioner facilitated test you will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist down and lie on your back or side. You should be given a sheet to cover your stomach and thighs to make you feel more comfortable. When you are ready, your health professional will ask you to bend your knees so they can insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. The speculum can be plastic or metal and holds the walls of the vagina open, allowing a clear view of the cervix. This part of the exam can feel slightly uncomfortable or awkward, as there may be some pressure on your pelvic area, but it shouldn’t be painful. If you do feel any pain let your health professional know and they can adjust the speculum. They will then use a small brush to gently collect a swab from the cervix. The cells collected on the swab are then sent off to a lab for examination to check for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV). And that’s it! You can go about your day. The exam doesn’t prevent any activity afterwards. You may have slight spotting after the test, however if you have any pain or heavy bleeding then it is best to let your health professional know. What should I expect from my health professional? From 1 July 2022, Australia’s National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) has expanded, offering self-collection as a choice to all women and people with a cervix participating in cervical screening. All participants aged 25 to 74 will be offered a choice to screen using either: Both options are still required to be accessed through a healthcare provider, but self-collection can be done in private without assistance. A self-collected sample is taken from the vagina (not the cervix). All you need to do is insert a swab a few centimetres into your vagina and rotate it for 20 to 30 seconds. More information can be found on the Australian Government website. This video explains how self-collection works. Presently just over 55% of people eligible for screening participate. By introducing self-collection as an option, it is hoped that participation will increase and enable Australia to move closer towards the goal of eliminating cervical cancer. This video explains the changes to cervical screening in 2022. Discuss this with you doctor and find out more information via the links below: ACON‘s Cervical Screening campaign, Own It, empowers all women and people with a cervix to own their Cervical Screening Test. See the video about ACON’s campaign. What if I have never had sex with a man or person with a penis? Human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes almost all cervical cancers, can be transmitted by any kind of sexual contact. Transmission does not require a penis or penetrative sex to be involved. Transmission can occur no matter how you identify. As HPV has no symptoms and tests are not conducted on people with a cervix until they are 25 years old, there is always the possibility that a sexual partner could have contracted the virus and passed it on to you without your or their knowledge. HPV is very common so even if you have only had one sexual partner, you need to be screened. How do I find the best doctor to meet my needs? It is important you can find a medical professional who you feel comfortable with to discuss your cervical screening and other health needs. Your friends may have suggestions or the following links can help you find a provider in your area. The Australian Lesbian Medical Association (ALMA) compiles an up to date list of doctors and mental health professionals who are recommended by lesbian and bisexual women. The Gender Affirming Doctor List from ACON’s TransHub website provides information for trans and gender diverse people in NSW. The Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH), is Australia’s peak body for professionals involved in the health, rights and well-being of trans, gender diverse and non-binary people. They provide a list of health service providers. By law, health professionals must maintain privacy and confidentiality. If you are happy for your records to be shared with other health professionals they can be added to your profile with My Health Record. Where can I get further information to prepare? What can I do if I feel uncomfortable or I am being discriminated against during screening? If you are feeling uncomfortable during the screening process you can ask to stop or pause the procedure. You can ask any questions that may overcome this discomfort and enable the screening to continue, or you can leave at any time you wish. You can take a support person with you to your screening appointment. Discuss your concerns about the screening and how they can best support you. Taking a list of questions with you to the appointment can help you check all your concerns have been addressed. A person cannot be discriminated against due to their gender identity, sexual orientation or lawful sexual activity (Equal Opportunity Act 2010). If you feel discriminated against, sexually harassed, victimised or vilified, you or someone on your behalf can make a complaint to the Human Rights Commission. Discussion with a friend or support person can be helpful if you do not wish to make a complaint. The good news is that across Australia screening programs have adapted to ensure the safety of all patients. Your GP or health professional should meet CovidSafe guidelines and have the correct practices in place to protect against the transmission of COVID-19, including: There are also a number of things you can do to help keep yourself and others safe such as: When you book your Cervical Screening Test appointment, ask your clinic what measures they have in place to keep you COVID safe. It is important to see a health professional regarding specific health needs such as information on pregnancy, early sexual intercourse, sexual abuse, immune-deficiency and DES exposure. Why was the National Cervical Screening Program changed? From 1 December 2017, evidence based changes to the National Cervical Screening Program, together with HPV vaccination, were made to reduce the number of cervical cancers by at least an additional 15 per cent. A primary HPV test every 5 years can save more lives and women will need fewer tests compared to the former 2 yearly Pap test program. These changes ensure that Australia stays at the forefront of cervical cancer prevention. Self-collection was made available after evidence showed it was as accurate as a clinic taken sample in detecting HPV. How does the Cervical Screening Test work? The Cervical Screening Test detects human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is the first step in developing cervical cancer. Persistent HPV infections can cause abnormal cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer. However, this usually takes a long time, often more than 10 years from initial HPV infection. While the old Pap test could detect abnormal cell changes, the Cervical Screening Test will detect the persistent HPV infection that causes the abnormal cell changes, prior to the development of cancer. The procedure for collecting the sample for HPV testing is the same as the procedure for having a Pap smear. A doctor or nurse takes a small sample of cells from the woman’s cervix to send away to a laboratory to be examined. Why should I start cervical screening at 25 years of age? Cervical cancer is rare under 25 years of age. Research has shown that screening before the age of 25 has not changed the number of cases of cervical cancer or deaths. In addition, investigating and treating common cervical abnormalities under age 25 that would usually resolve by themselves can increase the risk of pregnancy complications later in life. HPV vaccination has already been shown to reduce cervical abnormalities in those younger than 25 years of age and will continue to reduce the risk of cervical abnormalities in this age group. When should I stop having Cervical Screening Tests? Cervical Screening Tests are recommended every 5 years from the age of 25-74, unless your doctor advises otherwise. If you are 70 years or over and have had regular Cervical Screening Tests, you will be recommended to have an exit HPV Test, but you can continue to undertake cervical screening if you would like to. If you are over 70 years old and have never had a Cervical Screening Test, you can make an appointment to be screened. Will cervical screening prevent all cervical cancers? There are some rare neuroendocrine cervical cancers that are not caused by HPV. This means they won’t be detected through routine cervical screening tests. I am HPV vaccinated, so why do I need to have cervical screening tests? The current HPV vaccine provides protection against about 90% of cervical cancers so it is important that even if you are vaccinated, you are also screened for cervical cancer as you do not have 100% protection. Vaccination prevents infection with the most common cancer-causing strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine was originally developed at the University of Queensland by Professor Ian Frazer and his late colleague, Dr. Jian Zhou. Like other vaccines there are different brands of the HPV vaccine available. The original vaccine, Gardasil was available from 2007 – 2017 and protected against 70% of cervical cancers. Today in Australia, Gardasil®9 and Cervarix® are the brands of the vaccine currently available. Cervarix®protects against two strains of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancers and is only available on the private market. Gardasil®9 protects against 9 strains of HPV which are responsible for 90% of cervical cancers, 95% of other HPV related cancers and 90% genital warts. HPV-related cancers include almost all cancers of the cervix, and a proportion of cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis, head, neck and throat. Gardasil®9 is the vaccine offered for free to all Year 7 & 8 students (of all genders) as part of the school based National Vaccination Program. Only a single dose of the HPV vaccine is required for people who are vaccinated before their 26th birthday. Prior to February 2023, two or three doses were prescribed but latest international scientific and clinical evidence shows a single HPV vaccine dose gives comparable protection to healthy young people. As part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP), young people who missed their HPV vaccination at school can be vaccinated by their doctor or health professional before they turn 26 years of age (increasing from 19 years of age). People who are immunocompromised should still receive 3 doses of the HPV vaccine, which are all funded under the NIP before 26 years of age. GARDASIL® 9 is funded on the National Immunisation Program for eligible Australians aged 12-25 years and can be purchased privately for those aged 26-45 years. More information about these changes can be found in the Australian Immunisation Handbook To read more about HPV please visit: http://www.hpv.com.au/ To read more about the school based National HPV Vaccination program, please visit: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/human-papillomavirus-hpv HPV Vaccine FAQS Why is the HPV vaccine given in Year 7 or 8? Essentially there are two reasons: The vaccine is most effective if administered before an individual is exposed to HPV through sexual activity. Studies show that the body’s immune response to the vaccine is best between the ages of 9 and 14. Can I get the vaccine if I’m over the age of 25? Vaccination of all adults aged 25 years and older is not routinely recommended, as many are likely to have been exposed to one or more HPV strains through sexual activity. However, GARDASIL® 9 can be purchased privately for those aged 26-45 years. This is something that can be discussed with your GP. How does the HPV Vaccine Work? Like other vaccines, the HPV vaccine introduces your body’s immune system to what specific strains of HPV look like. However, it does not contain live viruses – rather, the vaccine is made to “look” like the real virus so your immune system is tricked into making virus-fighting antibodies. This means that if or when you come in contact with the HPV virus, your body will recognise it and know how to clear it from the body. See here for more in depth information about how this works: The first two minutes of this video (from Canada) gives a great explanation of how the HPV vaccine works to fight off HPV: In this video Professor Ian Fraser discusses why he invented the vaccine, the history of how the vaccine was developed and the technology behind it Is the HPV vaccine safe? Yes. It is not possible to get an HPV infection from the vaccine. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety has reported more than 270 million doses of HPV vaccines have been administered worldwide. Adverse events following receipt of the vaccine are no more likely than with any other vaccine. Using dental dams, gloves and condoms (on a penis or dildo) can reduce the transmission of HPV. The use of lube so dams, gloves and condoms don’t break is also helpful. However, as HPV is transmitted via skin-to-skin contact rather than bodily fluids, condoms cannot provide full protection from contracting HPV. HPV can also be contracted through any oral and genital contact. The use of condoms are highly encouraged as they provide valuable protection against many STIs and unplanned pregnancy, though their protection against HPV has limitations. Smoking can increase your risk of cervical cancer. Chemicals in tobacco may damage the cells of the cervix and make cancer more likely to develop. Smoking also makes the immune system less effective in fighting HPV infections. Women who smoke tobacco are about twice as likely as non-smokers to get cervical cancer.
HPV Vaccination
Practise Safer Sex
Choose not to smoke