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Cervical Screening

For Queer Bodies

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Cervical screening is a simple health check that helps find changes in your cervix before they become serious. It is important for anyone with a cervix including trans men, non-binary, and gender-diverse people to get screened regularly even if you don’t have periods or don’t have vaginal sex.

 

The test is quick and can be done by a healthcare provider you trust. It is one of the best ways to prevent cervical cancer and take control of your health.

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If you feel nervous or have had negative experiences with healthcare, remember you deserve respectful and affirming care. Cervical screening is for all bodies and you get to decide how it happens at your own pace.

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How it works

How it works

Over 60 years of science

Cervical screening involves collecting a small sample of cells from the cervix using a soft brush or swab. The sample is then tested to check for changes caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to cervical cancer if untreated. The test is quick and usually causes only mild discomfort. It’s important to have regular screenings because early detection means any issues can be treated before they become serious.

How effective is it?

Cervical Screening Saves Lives

​Cervical screening is a highly effective way to catch changes in cervical cells early, before they turn into cancer. When done regularly, it can prevent most cases of cervical cancer by identifying and treating problems early on. While no test is 100% perfect, screening greatly reduces your risk and helps you stay on top of your health.
How effective is it?
Who it's for

Who it’s for

Spoiler: everyone with a cervix

Cervical screening is for anyone with a cervix, including:

  • Trans men

  • Non-binary people

  • Gender-diverse individuals

 

It is important even if you:

  • Don’t have periods

  • Haven’t had vaginal sex recently

 

Screening helps you catch changes early before they become serious.

If you want to take charge of your health and help prevent cervical cancer, this test is for you.

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If you are unsure or nervous, a trusted health worker can support you through the process.

Underscreening

Underscreening

We deserve to live long healthy lives

Cervical screening is especially important for queer, trans, and non-binary people because many experience barriers to accessing healthcare and are often underscreened. This means changes in cervical health may go unnoticed longer, increasing the risk of cervical cancer. Getting screened regularly helps close this gap by catching potential issues early. It’s a way to take control of your health and ensure you’re seen, respected, and cared for in a way that fits your identity and experiences.

Why is it important?

Why is it important?

Queer joy is empowered by good health

Self Collect

Self Collect

Self-Screen and Slay

Let’s face it: cervical screening isn’t most people’s idea of a good time. But it could save your life, and now, it’s more doable than ever. 

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Self-collected cervical screening is a tool we use to test for HPV (human papillomavirus). 

 

It’s a small swab, about the size of a long cotton bud, that you gently place inside your vagina and rotate for 20–30 seconds. That’s it. No stirrups, no speculum, no clinician in the room (unless you need a little help).

 

While there is no take home version just yet, you can do it behind the procedure curtain, in the bathroom at the clinic, or wherever’s comfortable, depending on the setting.

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Check out our guide to learn more about how self-collection works and what to expect.

Further reading:

Some more articles written by us for our community

Further reading

For more info or to chat with a nurse:

🌐 www.secretsexproject.com/secret-sex-talk

🧏‍♀️ Deaf or hard of hearing? National Relay Service: 13 36 77
🌏 Need an interpreter? TIS National: 131 450

Last reviewed: November 2025

References:

Australian Health Department of Government and Aged Care. (2023, December 17). Men who have sex with men of any age are recommended to receive HPV vaccine. The Australian Immunisation Handbook. https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/recommendations/men-who-have-sex-with-men-are-recommended-to-receive-hpv-vaccine

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Bogale, A. L., Teklehaymanot, T., Ali, J. H., Kassie, G. M., Medhin, G., Baye, A. Y., & Shiferaw, A. Y. (2022). Comparison of self-collected versus clinician collected cervicovaginal specimens for detection of high risk human papillomavirus among HIV infected women in Ethiopia. BMC Women’s Health, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01944-2

 

Lopez Castro, R., Escudero Rivas, R., Ángeles Calderón, M., Iglesias Linares, L., Dolores Hurtado González, M., Méndez Gómez, N., de la Rosa Martos, B., Esther Hidalgo Carmona, M., & Luis López Hidalgo, J. (2024). Performance of a vaginal self-collection device versus clinician collected cervical samples for the detection of high-risk human papillomavirus. Preventive Medicine Reports, 41, 102705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102705

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What is HPV cancer? symptoms, causes & treatment. The Anal Cancer Foundation. (2024, October). https://www.analcancerfoundation.org/what-is-anal-cancer/hpv-cancer

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How to get involved?

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Secret Sex Project acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live, work, and create. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and honour Brotherboys, Sistergirls, trans mob, and all First Nations LGBTQ+ people for their leadership, wisdom, and care in shaping inclusive sexual health spaces. Sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
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