Self-Collect, Self-Empower: Taking Charge of Your Cervical Health

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. At the sexual health clinic where I work, cervical screenings are everyday business, but we know they’re not everyday business for many of our patients.

Whether it’s past trauma, gender dysphoria, medical anxiety, or just not being sure what’s involved, there are plenty of reasons someone might put off a cervical screen. That’s where self-collection comes in.

What is a self-collected cervical screening?

Self-collected cervical screening is a tool we use to test for HPV (human papillomavirus). It is a common virus spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact. Most people will have it at some point, but certain types can lead to cancer if not picked up early.

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.

Where can you do it?

Self-collection still needs to happen in a clinical setting, like at a GP clinic, sexual health service, or pop-up screening event.

That’s because a nurse or doctor will:

• Make sure self-collection is the right option for you

• Label and send your sample to the lab correctly

• Follow up with you about your results

Results usually come back within a couple of weeks. If HPV is found, don’t panic, it doesn’t mean you have cancer. It just means you’ll need a follow-up test to check your cervical cells more closely. If your results are HPV negative, you’ll likely only need to screen every five years.

Why it matters:

• Each year in Australia, around 800 people with a cervix are diagnosed with cervical cancer.

• Over 70% of them were either never screened or screened too late.

• Cervical screening is the best protection we have against cervical cancer.

And yes, self-collected samples are just as accurate as clinician-collected ones when it comes to detecting HPV (Lopez Castro et al., 2024).

Why people choose self-collect:

• It’s private and empowering.

• Less invasive or triggering for some.

• Helps people who’ve avoided screening feel safe enough to do it.

At a recent self-collection pop-up I supported, I asked a patient how they felt about the experience. Here’s what they had to say:

“I was so nervous, but doing it myself in a private place made it way less confronting. I’m glad I finally did it.”— Wren (she/they), 29

Things to keep in mind:

Self-collection only tests for HPV, not cervical cells. This means it’s great for routine screening, but not enough on its own if you’re having symptoms or need closer monitoring. If you’re experiencing symptoms (like bleeding, pain, or unusual discharge), were exposed to Diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero or have a complex cervical history, a clinician-collected sample is a better choice.

If your self-collected test comes back HPV positive, you’ll need to come back for a follow-up test so cervical cells can be checked.

Who’s eligible?

• In Australia the age recommendations are 25–74

• Anyone with a cervix (for our queer baddies also check out our article Cervical Screening & LGBTQIA+ Health: What You Need to Know)

• Anyone who’s ever had any kind of sexual contact

• People who are overdue for their cervical screen

Common myths and worries:

• “The swab has to touch the cervix.” – Nope! It just needs to go into the vagina, not all the way up.

• “What if I mess it up?” – Totally valid concern, but the instructions are easy, and there’s always someone around to talk you through it.

Self-collection makes cervical screening more accessible, less confronting, and puts the power back in your hands, literally.

Whether you’ve never screened before, you’re feeling anxious about the process, or you’re just overdue and unsure where to start, this option could make all the difference. If you’ve got a cervix and you’re aged 25 to 74, talk to your GP, nurse, or local sexual health clinic about whether self-collect is right for you. It might be the easiest step you take for your health this year. 💜

Resources

References

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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The information provided in this blog post is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While I am a registered health practitioner, this content is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional who can consider your individual circumstances.

This blog reflects my personal views and professional experiences and does not represent the views of my employer or any affiliated organisations.

In line with AHPRA guidelines, no testimonials are included, and this blog post is not intended to advertise or promote specific services or treatments.